01 May 2018

The Better Public Services Programme was launched in 2012.  It was was focused on lifting the performance of the public sector through delivering a small number of priority results.  The aim was to drive coordination, both structure and fiscal, across the public sector.  In 2018 the Government announced that the programme would not continue in this form.

The following are historical documents, to find out more about each result area and see case studies, please click the headers below for a pdf pack. 

Ten Results Within Five Areas

Reducing long-term welfare dependence

1. Reduce the number of people who have been on a working age benefit for more than 12 months(PDF, 3.7 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Anne Tolley
Lead CE: Ministry of Social Development, Chief Executive Brendan Boyle

Supporting vulnerable children

2. Increase participation in early childhood education.(PDF, 6.1 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Anne Tolley and Hon Hekia Parata
Lead CE: Ministry of Social Development, Chief Executive Brendan Boyle - supported by Ministry of Education Acting Chief Executive Katrina Casey

3. Increase infant immunisation rates and reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever.(PDF, 6 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Anne Tolley and Hon Jonathan Coleman
Lead CE: Ministry of Social Development, Chief Executive Brendan Boyle - supported by Ministry of Health Acting Director General Chai Chuah

4. Reduce the number of assaults on children.(PDF, 2.8 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Anne Tolley
Lead CE: Ministry of Social Development, Chief Executive Brendan Boyle

Boosting skills and employment

5. Increase the proportion of 18-year-olds with NCEA level 2 or equivalent qualification.(PDF, 5.8 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Hekia Parata
Lead CE: Ministry of Education Chief Executive Iona Holstead

6. Increase the proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds with advanced trade qualifications, diplomas and degrees (at level 4 or above).(PDF, 3 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Paul Goldsmith
Lead CE: Ministry of Education Chief Executive Iona Holstead

Reducing crime

7. Reduce the rates of total crime, violent crime and youth crime.(PDF, 4.8 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Amy Adams
Lead CE: Ministry of Justice, Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman

8. Reduce reoffending.(PDF, 1.5 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Amy Adams
Lead CE: Ministry of Justice, Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman

Improving interaction with government

9. New Zealand businesses have a one-stop online shop for all government advice and support they need to run and grow their business.(PDF, 8.3 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Simon Bridges
Lead CE: Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, Chief Executive David Smol

10. New Zealanders can complete their transactions with the Government easily in a digital environment.(PDF, 1.3 MB)

Lead Minister: Hon Peter Dunne
Lead CE: Department of Internal Affairs, Chief Executive Colin MacDonald

Challenging targets

These results and the targets that agencies have set for them, present a challenge - it won't be easy. Our public sector will need to find and create opportunities for new ways of working together to achieve the results and deliver better public services. It's what New Zealanders have told the Government they want, and deserve it. In time, this work will demonstrate innovation and improvement across a public sector that is connected and collaborative.

Ministers and a public sector chief executive have been made responsible for the achievement of specific results, and for publicly reporting on progress.

Christchurch Innovations - Better Public Services

The Christchurch Innovations project is at the intersection of two of the Government's four priorities:

  • Delivering better public services within tight financial constraints• Delivering better public services within tight financial constraints
  • Rebuilding Christchurch.

Demonstrating Better Public Services (BPS), the Christchurch Innovations project promotes innovative design and delivery of public services arising from the earthquake response, through the following series of case studies and accompanying video clips.

Download the information and case studies pack.(PDF, 7 MB)