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Long-term welfare dependency is reducing and more young people are achieving higher qualifications under the Government’s Better Public Services initiative, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The Government today published the July update of BPS targets, which confirms more good progress in tackling some of the most challenging issues facing New Zealanders, however making headway in other areas is slower, Mr English says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the notion of a donut effect in the Christchurch CBD – with new developments on the fringes but few buildings in the centre – is being rapidly dispelled.

“Development of the anchor projects combined with an increasing stream of private sector buildings is rapidly filling in the gaps, providing confidence to other investors that the CBD will be an economically viable and thriving space,” Mr Brownlee says.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman has congratulated the winners of the 2014 Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) Gen-I Public Sector Excellence Awards.

“I would like to congratulate last night’s winners, and also those who were nominated. The IPANZ awards are a great way of recognising the innovations and excellent work that our public servants are delivering,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest statistics on core government administration show a reduction to 65 positions below the cap.

“The Government is delivering better public services at the same time as shifting resources from administration to frontline services,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest Crown Estate Report shows the Government continues to reduce its nationwide office floor space, delivering considerable savings.

“The Government is making good progress on reducing its property footprint. We expect to reach annual savings of around $110 million by 2023,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says there are fewer back office staff in the public service than in 2008.

“Under the previous Labour Government numbers in the core public service drastically escalated without any improvement in public services,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Government introduced a cap on core government administration when we came into office and we lowered it again in 2011. We continue to remain below the cap we set of 36,475.

The latest update of the Government’s Better Public Services initiative shows significant gains continue to be made, though challenges remain in achieving these ambitious goals, Finance Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The Government today published the latest six-monthly progress report on its 10 Better Public Service Result areas.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says it is important to recognise success in the public sector through the 2014 Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards. 

“I encourage all Government agencies to nominate themselves for the IPANZ Awards for projects or initiatives which have achieved great results,” says Dr Coleman.