Media release
Friday 29 May
Private sector partnership wins award for Ministry
The Ministry of Economic Development was the Vero Supreme Award Winner and won two categories at Vero Excellence in
Business Awards last night.
The Insolvency and Trustee Service won the supreme award and Public and Private Partnership category, and the
Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand won the Business Support category. Both are business units of the Ministry
of Economic Development.
“The Ministry is sharply focussed on reducing costs for business and finding innovative ways to add value to their
work,” says Ministry of Economic Development Chief Executive David Smol.
“Businesses want smart government services and these awards tell us we’re delivering what they need.”
Public Private Partnership
To win the Vero Supreme Award and Public and Private Partnership Category, the Ministry worked with Creditworks
Consultants, VEDA, D, Financial Services Federation, and NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services to create an online service that works
for people on both sides of the insolvency equation.
“We had a vision of making life easier for our clients, and a genuine partnership with the private sector made that
vision a reality,” says David Smol.
The Ministry then worked closely with software developers Foster Moore IT to design and develop the new system.
The old insolvency system meant filling in forms and phoning in to check on the progress of a case, but all aspects of
insolvency can now be handled online. Creditors can check progress at any time, and opt to receive updates when
important developments occur.
Business Support
The award for Business Support recognises the work of the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) in helping
Kiwi businesses protect their bright ideas.
“We found many entrepreneurs and businesses didn’t understand the need to protect their intellectual property,” says
David Smol.
“Through educational partnerships IPONZ has increased awareness and its website provides 24 hour access to search the
registers and apply for patents and trademarks.”
Background
The Insolvency and Trustee Service is a business unit of the Ministry of Economic Development www.its.govt.nz
Statistics on personal and corporate insolvencies in NZ is available from this web site at www.insolvency.govt.nz/cms/site-tools/about-us/statistics.
The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand is a business unit of the Ministry of Economic Development www.iponz.co.nz
ENDS