Institute of Public Administration New Zealand
25 September 2014
MEDIA RELEASE

A changing public service? Diversity, gender balance and the next generation

The Institute of Public Administration Public Sector Journal (Sep/Oct) considers what impact demographic changes in New Zealand are having, and will have, on the public service.

It seeks answers to questions such as: how can the public service alter to serve an increasingly diverse, Auckland-centred population? How can it adapt to deal with relentless, fast-paced change? And how can it satisfy constantly rising public expectations?

Commentators include:
Jackie Blue, EEO Commissioner who says that more needs to be done to ensure the public service represents New Zealand’s demographics. For example, pay gender gaps are still significant in many departments.

Gabriel Makhlouf, Secretary of the Treasury, who says organisations need to find ways to counter unconscious bias in order to promote greater diversity within the workplace.

Andrew Hampton, Government Chief Talent Officer, State Services Commission, about the steps that are being taken to improve the responsiveness of the public service. This includes career boards to recognise talented people; better HR information systems; and designating certain positions as key positions with succession planning.

Brad Jackson, Head of School, School of Government, Victoria University; on what students want from public service careers and how they can be better equipped for it.

Public Sector journal is published quarterly by the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ). Through the journal, IPANZ promotes informed debate on issues already significant in the way New Zealanders govern themselves, or which are emerging as issues calling for decisions on what sorts of laws and management New Zealanders are prepared to accept.

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.

ENDS

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