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Nominations open for 2009 awards recognising excellence in public sector

8 October 2008 – The Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) is calling for entries for the 2009 IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards.

The public sector Awards programme, which was created in 2007 by IPANZ and ICT leader Gen-i, acknowledges and celebrates the stars of the public sector.

The Ministry of Social Development took the Supreme Award at the inaugural 2008 Awards ceremony in May this year, which was presented by Prime Minister, Helen Clark.

Ross Tanner, President of IPANZ, said a strong, innovative public sector committed to excellence is good for all New Zealanders and the awards are an important mechanism to reward this.

"We are all in the public sector to make a difference, and it is appropriate that we recognise our ‘stars’," said Mr Tanner.

“I expect the 2009 Awards will once again see a high level of excellence displayed by all entrants.”

Chris Quin, CEO of Gen-i, said that as principal sponsor of the awards, Gen-i is looking forward to another successful year for the Awards.

"Through strong relationships with our public sector clients we understand the hard work that goes on in the sector,” he said. “We are proud to assist in recognising this through the IPANZ public sector awards.”

Public sector organisations can nominate projects for the Awards in five categories: Developing Capability; Managerial Leadership; Crown-Maori relationships; Joined-up Government; and Working Together.

An independent judging panel will look at excellence in terms of vision, innovation and results. The Prime Minister’s Award for Public Sector Excellence will be presented to the winner of one of these categories, for outstanding achievement and sustained commitment to excellence.

As part of the Awards, recognition will also be given to the news media. Public sector organisations can nominate media organisations for a Media Award for excellence in reporting a public policy or management topic. Judges will look for balanced and informative coverage that raises the level of public debate.

Entries for the Awards close on 28 November 2008. For more information and to submit an application, go to www.ipanzawards.org.nz.

Price Waterhouse Coopers, the State Services Commission, Leadership Development Centre, Te Puni Kokiri, Talent2, Microsoft and Russell McVeagh are also supporting the Awards.

ENDS

Background

About IPANZ
The Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation, committed to promoting informed debate on public sector issues. Its membership comprises a wide range of professional advisers and managers in the public sector, university students and teachers, and interested people from the private sector. The Institute arranges regular seminars for its members and interested people to provide information on and facilitate discussion of important questions of public policy and management. IPANZ publishes the quarterly 'Public Sector' journal.

The strategic goals of IPANZ include:
• promoting professional standards for public service
• being an authoritative professional commentator on
• issues affecting the public sector
• providing professional development for its members
• developing the profession of public service among
• young professionals and recruits to the public sector.

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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