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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.

There is one name that crops up consistently throughout the Rebstock Inquiry, and that is Phil Goff, says State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman.

“It’s unbelievable that Mr Goff has come out and bagged the report. He needs to do some deep reflection,” says Dr Coleman.

“This inquiry is a timely reminder of the responsibility that public servants have to maintain the political neutrality of the public service.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new Government Chief Talent Officer will be appointed to drive a new public service talent and leadership programme.

“Developing our future public service leaders is crucial to maintaining an effective public service that is focused on delivering better public services for New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

“It is important the public service offers an attractive career for young New Zealanders, and they get the career development and progression that makes the best use of their skills.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say there will be a stronger focus on privacy and security across government with the creation of a Government Chief Privacy Officer (GCPO).

“It is important that New Zealanders have confidence in government agencies to do all they can to ensure personal information is kept safe,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman and Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye say civil defence emergency management will be strengthened by transferring the agency to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).

“We are shaping our government agencies so they can deliver better services to New Zealanders out in the community when they most need it,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest statistics on core government administration positions show the public service continues to remain within the cap set by the Government in March 2012.

“As of 30 June 2013, there are 36,474 full-time equivalent positions in core government administration,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman has confirmed at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Summit in London that New Zealand will join the OGP initiative which promotes open and transparent government.

“New Zealand has a strong tradition of open and transparent government, and we celebrated one hundred years of our professional, politically neutral public service this year,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest Kiwis Count survey shows New Zealanders’ satisfaction with public services continues to rise.

“The government is committed to delivering better public services for New Zealanders, and ensuring our public services are more effective and efficient,” says Dr Coleman.

About 20 government departments and agencies will be relocating into the Christchurch CBD in 2016 to support the city’s recovery.

“Today’s announcement by Prime Minister John Key is very welcome news,” says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

“The Government is committed to the revitalisation of Christchurch and delivering the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. The CBD has been all but closed since the earthquakes and government agencies had to relocate across the city in temporary office space.”

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say the Kiwis Count Channels 2013 report shows a growing number of New Zealanders look for information or deal with public services online.

“This report finds the internet is now the preferred channel for Kiwis looking for information on public services or dealing with public services,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says reducing the government’s footprint and achieving significant savings in office accommodation spend are key aims of the national accommodation strategy released today.

“In the past government agencies have negotiated leases in isolation, this strategy means that a central approach will be taken,” says Dr Coleman.

“We expect to reduce the government’s occupied footprint nationally by around 25 per cent in the next three to four years, producing annual savings of around $110 million.

The State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill passed its Third Reading in Parliament today.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says the legislation represents the biggest transformation to the public service in a generation.

“This legislation gives the public service new tools and increased flexibility to drive forward change,” Dr Coleman says.

The Government is delivering better public services while at the same time ensuring taxpayers receive better value from the many billions of dollars invested in them, State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

“We are co-ordinating efforts across departments in areas such as procurement, ICT and property management. Taxpayer money freed up by more efficient approaches is being put to better use elsewhere,” he says.

Government agencies are making good progress across the 10 Better Public Services results to address some of New Zealand’s most challenging issues, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The Government today issued the first progress report on the results and the measurable targets sitting under them. Ministers have also agreed to set up a $20 million a year seed fund over four years to support government agencies as they work towards meeting their targets.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today that State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, has been reappointed for a three-year term.

“Iain Rennie is leading the public service through a period of significant change,” Dr Coleman says.

“His reappointment reflects the need for sustained and focused leadership as the government delivers its Better Public Services programme.

Relocating government agencies back into the Christchurch CBD is a step closer says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman.

“The public sector will be locating facilities in the heart of the city as an integral part of delivering the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Moving government agencies back into the CBD is part of the government’s commitment to the revitalisation of Christchurch.”

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain expect the public sector to put a much stronger focus on privacy and security, following the release of a review of the Government’s ICT systems today.

The Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO) Colin MacDonald has published a review of the Government’s publicly accessible ICT systems such as kiosks, wi-fi networks and web services.