Youth Gangs Project Wins Top Public Sector Excellence Award

IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Awards announced today

Wellington, 27 May 2008 – A Ministry of Social Development project to reduce youth offending in South Auckland has received the top accolade at the inaugural IPANZ (Institute of Public Administration New Zealand) Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards. The project, entitled ‘Improving Outcomes for Young People in Counties Manukau’, won the category for best cross-government working as well as the supreme award, the Prime Ministers’ Award.

The Ministry of Social Development and the Auckland Youth Support Network Group developed a 26-point Action Plan in mid 2006 to improve outcomes for young people and reduce youth offending in Counties Manukau and Otahuhu. The cross-government programme emphasised proactive intervention by police and social workers among at risk youth in schools and community centres.

Winners were named in six categories, each designed to highlight significant public sector initiatives making a positive difference to communities. Projects were judged on their vision, innovation and results. An additional media category acknowledged the balanced and informative coverage that raises the level of debate about public policy and administration.

In making the Supreme Award, Prime Minister Helen Clark said, “The IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards are a welcome initiative, showcasing innovation in New Zealand public administration and policy. The youth gangs’ project, this year’s recipient of the Prime Ministers’ Award, was developed in response to a critical and dangerous situation. It has led to solutions both for short term and longer run problems. Importantly, the results can be replicated in other areas around New Zealand.”

The winners in each category are:
State Services Commission Award for Excellence in People Capability
New Zealand Police: Development and Implementation of the New Zealand Police Leadership and Management Development Framework.

The Leadership Development Centre Award for Excellence in Managerial Leadership
Ministry of Women's Affairs: Organisational Transformation.

Te Puni Kokiri Award for Excellence in Crown-Maori Relationships
New Plymouth District Council: The Rewa Rewa Agreement.

Microsoft Award for Joined-up Government
Ministry of Justice: Electronic Filing of Infringement Notices.

Russell McVeagh Award for Working Together
Ministry of Social Development: Improving Outcomes for Young people in Counties Manukau (Youth Gangs).

Talent2 Award for Excellence in Public Sector Media Coverage
Sunday Star Times for reporting on Kiwi Saver by Rob Stock.

Prime Minister’s Award for Public Sector Excellence
Ministry of Social Development: Improving Outcomes for Young People in Counties Manukau (Youth Gangs).

Ross Tanner, President of the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ), says it's time for a celebration of public sector success.

"IPANZ initiated the Awards to recognise that there is indeed a commitment to excellence within the New Zealand public sector. It is very clear from the awards process that the desire to make a positive difference in the community remains a powerful force within the public sector. The Awards are designed to fuel that motivation for the good of all New Zealanders.”

Chris Quin, CEO of Gen-i, the Awards’ sponsor, congratulated the finalists and said the decision to sponsor the awards stemmed from Gen-i’s close links to the public sector throughout New Zealand.

"The IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards are all about recognising the people who are creating a culture of innovation within our public sector. The winning agencies are leading the charge and the Awards will help others benefit by sharing best practice.

“We are passionate about promoting and rewarding superior achievement, and we look forward to helping IPANZ celebrate success across the public sector.”

The full list of Award finalists can be found at www.ipanzawards.org.nz. The State Services Commission, Leadership Development Centre and Te Puni Kokiri are also supporting the Awards.

ENDS

About IPANZ
IPANZ is a voluntary, not for profit organisation, committed to promoting improvements in public policy and in administration and management in the public sector in New Zealand, and to increasing public understanding of the work undertaken in the public sector. www.ipanz.org.nz

About Gen-i
Gen-i is at the forefront of helping customers take advantage of the convergence of technology and telecommunications, and the new opportunities this makes possible. Gen-i works alongside its 3,300 corporate, government and business customers to deliver seamless and integrated ICT solutions. A member of the Telecom New Zealand Group, Gen-i achieves this with the support of 3,300 highly skilled people in 17 locations across New Zealand and Australia. For more information on Gen-i, visit www.gen-i.co.nz

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