Preface

The State Services Commission (SSC) has an important role in New Zealand's public management system. In conjunction with the other two central agencies, the Treasury and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet - the SSC is responsible for taking an all-of-government view and working across the system to lift overall performance and improve the delivery of services to New Zealanders.

The Government themes of economic transformation, families - young and old, and national identity, underpinned by a focus on sustainability, continue to provide the context for much of the work that will be undertaken by the SSC and other government agencies in 2007/08.

The work programme associated with the Development Goals gives effect to the Government's themes by describing how the State Services will go about delivering on those aims. Achievement of the milestones associated with the Development Goals will assist the State Services to better serve the Government and meet the needs of New Zealanders.

The SSC also continues to make a difference to the performance of the State Services through its statutory roles of appointing Public Service chief executives, and through its promotion of standards of behaviour and conduct in the State Services through a new Code of Conduct.

In 2007/08 we expect the SSC to continue its leadership role across the State Services, with focus on lifting its performance management function and using this to build on its already strong relationships with chief executives. The SSC will also focus on a new research programme aimed at better understanding New Zealanders' experience of government services. Greater knowledge of what really matters to New Zealanders will enable the SSC to drive better performance in government agencies over time.

This Statement of Intent describes how the SSC will go about its work over the next three years. It outlines the nature and scope of the SSC's functions, explains what the SSC is trying to achieve and why, and describes the main measures and standards (financial and non-financial) that the SSC intends to use to assess its progress.

As the Responsible Minister I am satisfied that this Statement of Intent is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.