Hurahura Research
Our research role
The Public Service Commission and the New Zealand public service are continually working to improve how public services deliver for New Zealanders. As we work on improving public services now, we must also keep an eye to the future, so that New Zealanders have a public service that better meets their needs and remains relevant in a changing world.
Part of the Commission’s core function is to provide leadership and over-sight of the public service and ensure the purpose of the Public Service Act is carried out. From time to time, Commission staff need to do a deeper dive to understand a problem. Sometimes this involves a literature review or empirical research and analysis. Other times it can involve engaging with public administration theory to develop new understandings, or reflective practice and insights.
This collection of papers have been commissioned, written or contributed to by Commission staff members in order for us to get a better understanding of various challenges facing the public service, so that we can continue to work on improving how public services deliver for New Zealanders. The Commission’s aim in sharing the papers here is to make these ideas and analyses available to a wider audience, and to inform and encourage public debate, with the ultimate aim of informing our work.
If you have any questions, would like reports in a different format or are interested in discussing this work, please email: info@publicservice.govt.nz.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in these papers are strictly those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or the New Zealand Government.
Please note: Prior to August 2020, the Public Service Commission was known as the State Services Commission. Documents published prior to this date refer to the Commission by this earlier name.
101 - 115 of 115 results
Assessing Departments' Capability to Contribute to Strategic Priorities
Identifies a framework with supporting criteria to assist with assessments of departments' capability to contribute to Strategic Priorities, and sets out the key findings from a pilot of the framework.
Integrated Service Delivery
Discusses a method for making decisions when integrating service delivery.
Shared Service Centres
Chief executives in the Public Service departments have three options available to them for providing administrative services for their departments - in-house provision; contracting out (outsourcing); and shared service …
Roles of Central and Local Government in Joint Problems
This paper explores issues relating to the co-ordination of central government and local government in addressing joint problems. To be successful in addressing joint problems it is necessary to have a clear, accurate an…
Looping the Loop - Evaluating Outcomes and Other Risky Feats
Prepared as a part of the SSC's "Improving the Quality of Policy Advice" project, it examines the extent of outcome evaluation in the New Zealand Public Service.
Minds Over Matter - Human Resources Issues Affecting the Quality of Policy Advice
Prepared as part of the State Services Commission's "Improving the Quality of Policy Advice" project. Examines human resource issues affecting the quality of policy advice provided by the Public Service. Draws on informa…
Essential Ingredients - Improving the Quality of Policy Advice
Essential Ingredients - Improving the Quality of Policy Advice
Authors: State Services Commission
Format: Working paper
Date published: 1 June 1999
Strengthening Strategic Management: Summary of Fiscal Modelling Work
Summarises results of fiscal model runs commissioned by the Minister of State Services, and discusses the next steps for the SSC's Strategic Management Project. The results confirm that governments will face substantial …
Assessment of the State of the New Zealand Public Service
The paper focuses on the fitness of the New Zealand Public Service for doing the business of government. Draws largely on information collected from within the Public Service by the SSC. Identifies a number of risks to t…
A Better Focus on Outcomes through SRA Networks
Summarises SSC's approach to improving strategic management in the Public Service, and responsiveness to key government priorities. Describes weaknesses in the present system, and proposes the creation of strategic resul…
The State Ten Years On from the Reforms
Essay prepared by Colin James as a guest contribution to the Commission's occasional papers series. Author provides an informed perspective on changes in the State sector during the past 10 years.
New Zealand's State Sector Reform: A Decade of Change
An overview of New Zealand’s state sector reforms.
Taking Care of Tomorrow, Today: A Discussion of the Government's Ownership Interest
'Taking Care of Tomorrow, Today' is the result of the work of a 1995 inter-departmental working group on the Government's ownership interest in the Public Service. The report is a discussion document. In the view of the …
The Emerging Agenda: EEO in the New Zealand Public Service
The approach to equal employment opportunities (EEO) in the New Zealand Public Service has evolved over time. This document aims to identify and describe the emerging agenda and strategies for the next phase of developme…
The Spirit of Reform: Managing the New Zealand State Sector in a Time of Change
A report prepared for the State Services Commission and The Treasury in 1996.