Papers that demonstrate the range of thinking that led to the Better Public Services programme have been released publicly today.
The papers released include Cabinet papers as well as issues papers that were considered by the Better Public Services Advisory Group, established by the Government last year to make recommendations on how the Public Service could deliver better results and improved services for New Zealanders. The Advisory Group report contributed to the Better Public Services Programme, announced by Prime Minister John Key on 15 March 2012.
State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie said the papers demonstrate some of the issues and options that led to the Better Public Services programme.
The Better Public Services Programme is now working to deliver on the expectations set by the Government:
Government agencies working far more closely together and in fundamentally different ways, whether it is organising around results, sharing functions and services, purchasing goods and services, developing systems jointly
More contestability in service provision and use of alternative providers
Greater use of technology and shift to digital channels, so New Zealanders can more easily access services
Agencies collecting, using and publishing better performance information
Greater responsiveness to the needs and expectations of New Zealanders, and a willingness to do things differently, including more open and transparent government through access to more information
As part of the focus on results, the Government has set ten key priority results. Leadership roles for these results areas have been assigned to five chief executives who are working with Ministers and contributing agencies to drive the delivery of results and give account for cross-agency performance.
The papers can be found at www.ssc.govt.nz/better-public-services
ENDS
Media enquiries: Lisa-Marie Richan, Director, Communications 021 244 1361
See also: 'Better Public Services - Frequently Asked Questions' in the Related Files section at the top of this page.
