The Role of the State Services Commission

The mission of the State Services Commission (SSC, or 'the Commission') is to lead the Public sector to make a difference for New Zealand and New Zealanders. We are committed to leadership where we lead by example, set the course and lead the system. We enable people and we do not accept the status quo - we challenge and we do not limit ourselves or others in the system.

Our leadership role has changed significantly from the role we have played to date. State sector reforms in 2013 enshrined in legislation the role of the State Services Commissioner as the Head of New Zealand's State Services. This change reflected the need for agencies to join up to deliver services and results that New Zealanders need. This requires greater collective leadership and incentives for agencies to work beyond their existing operational and organisational accountabilities.

The Commission's purpose is to lead the State Services chief executives and other leaders to deliver results and services that make the most positive difference for New Zealanders. At the heart of this is measuring and making improvements focused on the needs of customers.

The Commission's role covers:

• the design of the State sector system, and the performance of people, agencies, sectors within it
• engagement with Ministers, and ensuring that the system is performing well and is prepared for the future
• guiding and setting standards of conduct and behaviour for public servants and State Service organisations, and safeguarding the people who work for government, and investigating issues where required
• recruiting, managing and mentoring chief executives to building a team of chief executives who collectively take responsibility for system stewardship, and
• representing the people we serve by understanding the diversity of our customers' needs.