NEW ZEALAND

PS called to think long term

New Zealand’s State Service Commissioner has called on Public Servants across the world to think ahead when addressing short-term challenges.
   The Commissioner, Iain Rennie said Public Servants were very good at responding to the issues governments put to them, “but we’re less good about not only doing that, but also thinking ahead to the future”.
   Mr Rennie said Singapore was one of the best examples of a public sector which has balanced immediate responsiveness with forward thinking.
   “It’s about fostering a culture of continuous improvement in our public service; that we’re not satisfied with the status quo but are always thinking about how we can do better,” Mr Rennie said.
   He said the New Zealand Government was about to introduce legislation to create an obligation for chief executives to be “stewards” for their organisation and allow them to think ahead while “ensuring that their organisation has the capacity to deliver effectively in the future as well as today”.
   He said Public Servants also needed to build a brand for the sector in terms of employment.
   Mr Rennie said age should not be a focus for the recruitment process.
   “Get the best and brightest and offer New Zealanders, whether younger or older, an exciting career and a real possibility to change lives,” he said.
   Mr Rennie said new recruits faced an environment which was “more complex, more unpredictable and more ambiguous” than in the past and they needed to be properly prepared for that.

Wellington, 22 January 2013
Edition 346, 29 January 2013
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