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The CabGuide provides practical information and advice for public servants and Ministers’ offices on the procedures and operation of the New Zealand Cabinet, Cabinet committees, and the Executive Council. The information on CabGuide is intended to...

This publication is part of the CabGuide.

Report on the Operation of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Act 2017   Purpose As the Minister responsible for the administration of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Act 2017 (Act), I am required under section 24 to present a...

Introduction 1This circular sets out guidelines agreed by Cabinet for policy-makers to consider the Treaty of Waitangi in policy development and implementation. Background 2The Treaty of Waitangi (the Treaty) is one of the major sources of New...

Introduction 1This circular sets out Cabinet's expectations for the management of investments and both physical and intangible assets by the following types of organisation (agencies): 1.1all departments (including departmental agencies) as...

Key points 1This circular sets out the requirements for central government agencies to estimate and disclose the greenhouse gas emission implications when certain types of policy proposals are presented to Cabinet. It has been updated to reflect...

Key Points 1This circular provides guidance on the management of parliamentary business after Parliament has been dissolved. The key points are as follows: 1.1all parliamentary business will lapse on Sunday, 6 September, when Parliament is...

Introduction 1In January this year the Cabinet Office issued guidance on government decision making in the pre-election period.[1] That guidance reiterates that the government has the right to govern as usual until the election. As in previous...

Introduction 1Following the general election on 17 October 2020, the Leader of the Labour Party has announced that she is able to lead a government that has the support of a majority of the House. 2In accordance with the convention on caretaker...

Introduction 1This circular provides practical guidance for Ministers[1] and departments on implementing the cooperation agreement between the Labour Party and the Green Party entered into when the government was formed following the 2020 general...

Behavioural insights involves the study of human behaviour, often drawing on empirical research in fields including economics, psychology and sociology. Email Dr Marcos Pelenur at Marcos.Pelenur@eeca.govt.nz to be included in 'community of practice...

Quality commissioning is the starting point for producing quality policy advice.

Communicating advice effectively to a decision-maker relies on the art of good story telling. External Resources New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's central government masterclasses External Conversation trackers and presentations Nikita...

Good quality engagement by government can solve complex problems, can lead to better solutions and build enduring relationships with individuals and groups in the community. External Engagement Resources Guidelines for engagement with Māori Department...

Design thinking is also known as human-centred design, co-design and participatory decision. External Policy Community Resources Service Design Community of practice - Email Ben Briggs at ben.briggs@acc.co.nz to be included in emails and...

The Policy Project has a number of frameworks, tools and resources to support you or your team in developing their policy skills.

As part of our commitment to accountability and transparency, agencies must include information in the Estimates and Annual Reports on the quality of their policy advice, and the satisfaction of their minister with the policy support provided by the...

Good policy advice is underpinned by good evidence. Good evaluation of policy decisions is important because it helps inform future decision-making – and contributes to continuous improvement. External resources Chief Science Advisor Forum Nesta's...

Free and frank advice underpins our system of government. External resources Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission's guidance on Free and Frank Advice and Policy Stewardship and Frequently Asked Questions External conversations, speeches and...

Futures thinking is also known as foresight, strategic foresight and futures studies. External resources The Futures Toolkit Strategic Foresight External Policy community resources Strategic Futures Group - Email Cathy.Swanson@ird.govt.nz to be...

Public problems are increasingly complex and connected, which requires policy practitioners to tap into creative answers. Additional Overview Resources OECD Declaration on Public Sector Innovation International Resources Observatory of Public Sector...

The New Zealand public service has a duty of stewardship, to look ahead and provide advice on future challenges and opportunities.   Additional Conversation trackers, presentations and speeches The Challenges for the Public Service: In pursuit of...

This publication is part of the CabGuide.

Using this document This document contains guidance on different types of communication with ministers and Cabinet. Whether you’re writing a Cabinet paper, a policy paper, an aide memoire or an A3, you’ll find high level descriptions of what’s involved...

Open, early Commissioning Conversations are the starting point for quality policy. The questions listed on the next page are a guide for effective Commissioning Conversations. They can help you consider the most important elements that shape a policy...

This publication is part of the CabGuide.

Quality Standards for written policy and other advice These standards will help you assess and improve the quality of your agency's written policy and other advice, and whether it is fit for purpose. The advice may be for a minister, Cabinet, or other...

About this guide This guide contains advice on how to run a panel-based assessment of policy and other advice papers after their delivery (an ex-post assessment process) using the Policy Quality Framework. It also explains how to score advice papers...

Policy Skills Framework The Policy Skills Framework describes the mix of knowledge, skills and behaviours a modern policy practitioner requires – to be able to deliver quality policy advice.  Each element of the Framework is described at varying...

Introduction 1The Legislation Guidelines (2021 edition) are the government's key point of reference for assessing whether draft legislation conforms to accepted legal and constitutional principles.  2The Legislation Guidelines set out guidance...

NEMA Data Summary as at 21 July 2021 GPG  Mean: 16.2% GPG Median: 14.1% DPMC Demographics Structure of DPMC by grade: By employee type Employee Type MEAN Total REM   Male...

Context DPMC is a small to medium organisation (422 headcount at Sept 2021) experiencing significant growth and fluctuation of staff.  While most of the increase (over 140 since Feb 2021) is in fixed term employees (FT) and secondees, this growth...

Purpose of this document The Development Pathways Tool identifies the actions a policy practitioner can take to develop their skills at three different levels – developing, practising, and expert/leading. These actions are organised into three ways of...

Why does community engagement matter when creating policy, and how do we make sure it’s done well? Across the public sector, we recognise that community engagement is no longer an optional extra. It’s also not enough to put a discussion document online...

Introduction 1This circular sets out advice on the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the New Zealand response, and the effect of The Queen’s death on New Zealand’s constitutional situation, including implications for Cabinet processes and other matters...