IPANZ E-Update - 9 April 2023
In this E-Update our first article suggests that public servants have more agency than they think to do things differently in their mahi. Other articles cover intentional community building (it’s not just about housing), the complexity of government (and what this means), the justice system, citizenship education, biodiversity as critical infrastructure, and accessibility to digital health tools for people with disabilities. |
PERSPECTIVES
Public servants can contribute to reinventing government
ANZSOG has summarised an interesting conversation with two of the world’s innovative thinkers on public administration and public service. Many of the points warrant discussion – here are a few to get you thinking:
- In the craft of policy analysis, we make inadequate use of a wide range of disciplines – philosophy, design thinking, history, psychology, and so on. Public servants have a responsibility to expand the thinking of the governments they serve.
- So many institutions (governments, media, universities, etc) focus on the short term – contrast this with the tech industry which invests in thinking about technological futures. The result is an enormous gap about societal and political futures.
- We should be testing our ideas – retesting, learning and adapting – not trying to refine planning in detail before taking ideas into communities.
- People working in the public service have far more agency than they think to do things differently. And to ignite the imagination about government for the future. Trust in government and the public service depends on it.
Let’s build communities, not just houses
Dennis O’Reilly has written an important piece for E-Tangata. He talks about building communities, not just houses – he calls it intentional community building. He suggests social housing tenants should more often be given the chance to describe, and then define, the social environment in which they want to live – giving them agency. He talks of some interesting examples, failures and successes, in doing this mahi.
As he says: “we can move the community discussion away from complaining about problems to discussing solutions and opportunities — in other words, assist the shift from pathology to potential”. Persistence and commitment to this goal will be required from all involved.
The complexity of the Executive Branch of Government
The Executive Branch is made up of 41 government departments and 27 Crown agencies. These organisations answer to 78 Ministerial portfolios and 22 associate portfolios, held by 28 Ministers.
“The complexity of our system makes us an outlier among parliamentary democracies with populations similar to ours. Compared with the combined average of Denmark, Singapore, Norway, Ireland and Finland, we have 50% more Ministers, 156% more departments, and 280% more portfolios.” At times of cuts, this may be worth thinking about.
When there are so many agencies reporting to multiple Ministers, this creates problems in coordination, accountability, and resourcing, which can be challenging for public servants. As this article from the New Zealand Initiative says - “a chaotic spiderweb of responsibility emerges”.
We need a trauma-informed justice system
New Zealand’s justice system is ripe for reform. The country has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the OECD, and over 56% of people with prior convictions are reconvicted within two years.
Some 52% of people in prison identify as Māori, while 91% of people in prison have experienced mental distress, and over 50% addiction. Many are affected by poverty and have been victims of sexual and physical violence. The trauma experienced by people in our prison system is striking.
This article describes what a trauma-informed justice system would look like and urges policy makers to take note.
The need for citizenship education
At this time of political polarisation, a discussion about citizenship education (not only civics education) is timely. This is an article from our Public Sector journal.
There are a number of important points:
- The civics focus is scattered through the curriculum and it is sometimes taught in a tokenistic way – better to encourage deep learning through some sort of research project to really engage students.
- Teachers are not highly skilled at teaching this subject and feel at risk in talking about “political” issues. Teachers are scrambling to upskill on the history curriculum and there is not enough space for learning how to do citizenship education.
- But there are excellent resources produced by, for example, the Electoral Commission and Generation Vote.
- As Prof. Bronwyn Hayward says: “without citizenship education, the idea of a democratic government being of the people by the people and for the people just can’t be sustained”.
We must not neglect our fundamental infrastructure – biodiversity
There is always a worry, in times of cuts, that vital long-term work will be stopped to deal with the immediate. The work on biodiversity needs to be recognised as an integral part of a wider system necessary for society to thrive. This brief summary makes the following major points:
- Nature’s value is at the heart of economics.
- Biodiversity is a critical part of our ‘infrastructure’, sustaining all activity.
- A ‘do and learn’ approach, led by communities, can be very powerful to build awareness and action. It must be enabled.
As additional background, this article is a brief summary of the key points of the Dasgupta report about the economics of biodiversity.
Digital solutions often neglect the needs of people with disabilities
One in four New Zealanders live with a disability. Despite this significant portion of the population, digital solutions often overlook their needs. The lack of emphasis on accessibility often begins at the early stages of software development. It must start at the design stage.
This article is written by a health professional with a disability and published in The Conversation. She gives some very telling examples of inequity. She highlights a 2023 recommendation that New Zealand adopts a national strategy for accessibility in digital health. This has yet to be adopted or implemented.
People with disabilities have a long history of distrust in the health and disability systems in New Zealand. She argues that this must be addressed by better access, particularly in digital health.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Effective Engagement with Māori - Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 April, all day, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
While politics around Te Tiriti o Waitangi's application is a hot topic at the moment, the Prime Minister is clear this Government will honour Te Tiriti. Public servants will continue to require the knowledge and confidence for engaging with Māori.
Presented by Piripi Winiata, who recently facilitated the Rangatahi forum at the Māori King's Hui ā Motu, the Effective Engagement with Māori workshop is designed to help public servants gain a greater understanding of Te Ao Māori (Māori world view), Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and develop practical tools for effectively engaging with Māori.
For more information or to register for this workshop visit our website.
Public Sector Capabilities in Challenging Times - Wednesday 10 April, 12.30 - 1.30pm, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
The New Zealand public sector has reached a watershed moment: Budget cuts and restructures lead to extreme uncertainty. A tough time for organisations, their staff, and their leaders.
IPANZ, and the Wellington School of Business and Government, present “public sector capabilities in challenging times”. An active discussion between academics and practitioners – focused on what is useful and realistic in practice.
For more information or to register for this event visit our website.
Te Kōrero Piriahi a te Rangatira - Wednesday 8 May, 12.30 - 1.30pm, online
IPANZ are supporting Te Rau Hihiri to bring you this virtual kōrero with Lil Anderson - Chief Executive, Te Arawhiti, and Paula Rawiri - Deputy Chief Executive, Te Puni Kōkiri.
Te Rau Hihiri will ask these rangatira for their advice and strategies for kaimahi Māori in the public service navigating the current environment.
For more information or to register for this event visit our website.
NEW PROFESSIONALS
Tāmaki Makaurau quiz night - Wednesday 17 April, 5.45pm, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
The IPANZ New Professionals' Network are entering a few teams in the Coops Corner Pub Super Quiz. The quiz will take place at Coops Corner Pub, Viaduct, 204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD.
If you are keen to meet other new professionals in the policy and wider government space in Auckland, and flex your general knowledge skills, email ipanznplt@gmail.com to secure a place.
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