Productivity Commission to investigate improving the delivery of public services

The Government has asked the Productivity Commission to investigate ways to improve the delivery of public services in New Zealand. The Productivity Commission website says:

"This new inquiry will focus on ways to improve productivity and generate better outcomes for New Zealanders from the Government’s investment in public services such as social housing, employment services, and programmes to reduce crime.

The Commission has been asked to examine traditional and emerging innovative approaches to social services in particular, drawing on both international and domestic experience, and assess their effectiveness. Examples of new approaches in governance, commissioning and delivery in New Zealand include the Social Sector Trials and Whānau Ora.

The inquiry will consider how agencies identify social-service needs and make decisions about delivery. It will pay particular attention to commissioning arrangements and how effective these arrangements are at targeting services to the right clients, bringing together the right mix of agencies, and achieving desired outcomes."

The Productivity Commission will seek submissions from interested parties and carry out consultation. This will follow the publication of an "issues paper" that will outline the Commission's proposed approach to this inquiry, the context for the inquiry, and a preliminary list of key questions to be addressed. The Commission’s final report to the Government is due on 30 June 2015.

Further information is available on the Productivity Commission website.

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