Policy Advisory Group (PAG)

The Policy Advisory Group (PAG) consists of the Deputy Chief Executive, Policy and 11 senior, carefully-selected policy advisors. These advisors bring together a range of skills and deep experience in areas such as law, business, economic policy, and social policy.

They provide 'free and frank' (politically impartial) advice to the Prime Minister, and sometimes to other Ministers. They also lead policy initiatives if needed - whether this be immediate, medium, or long-term strategic advice. PAG puts a high value on maintaining excellent relations with public sector agencies. It's important for DPMC to be viewed as ‘honest brokers’, particularly in its coordinating role.

The quality of our advice and support is assessed by surveying the Governor-General and the Prime Minister, and the cost of producing policy is used to measure value for money.

PAG and the Policy Project

PAG hosts a dedicated Policy Project that supports the Chief Executive of DPMC in his stewardship role as Head of the Policy Profession. The Project is focused on building a high-performing policy system that supports and enables good government decision making.

Read more about the Policy Project

Christchurch Call Unit

PAG hosts the Christchurch Call Unit, a multidisciplinary team that supports the Prime Minister to progress the Christchurch Call. The Call is an action plan comprising twenty-four voluntary commitments agreed by governments and tech companies to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.

The team works closely with counterparts in France (as the co-founders of the Call), a civil society Advisory Network and other New Zealand government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Internal Affairs, to advance Call initiatives and priorities.

You can learn more about the Christchurch Call at www.christchurchcall.com

Background

PAG was formally established in 1990 within DPMC. Before 1990, policy advisory services were provided through the forerunners of DPMC.