Foreword from the Minister of State Services

The State Services Commission provides leadership to the State Services so that government works better for New Zealanders. It does this through ensuring the State Services are well led, trusted by the public and that the public management system delivers improving services at a lower cost.

The Commission works with the Treasury and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to lead the improved performance of the Public Service and the wider State Services. The Government is asking these central agencies to play a leading role in assisting agencies to deliver improved frontline services to New Zealanders.

State Services agencies are facing a period of extended fiscal constraint. With increasing expectations from the public about the quality of the services that they receive, central agency leadership will be required to deliver significant improvements in agency performance and productivity.

My expectations of the State Services Commissioner are that he will provide this leadership through his statutory responsibilities - such as the appointment and performance management of Public Service chief executives, providing Ministers timely and accurate advice about the performance of government agencies, and ensuring the Government's collective employment agreements and wage settlements lead to productivity gains and are affordable and equitable.

This Government, and New Zealanders, want effective frontline service delivery from a professional, apolitical State Services. A tightly focused, high performing State Services Commission is essential to the coordination and delivery of that goal. To that end, I have agreed with the State Services Commissioner the work programme he has outlined in the 2010-2015 Statement of Intent.

I am satisfied that the information on future operating intentions provided by the State Services Commission in this Statement of Intent is in accordance with sections 38, 40 and 41 of the Public Finance Act 1989 and is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.

Hon Tony Ryall
Minister of State Services
April 2010