New Thinking On Public Services
At a time when the public sector is facing significant challenges the Public Sector Conference is being held to promote
new thinking on public services in New Zealand.
The Public Sector Conference – In the service of the public @ will include a host of movers and shakers on public sector policy and is being sponsored by the Public Service
Association, the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand, Victoria University School of Management and the Labour
History Project.
It has been organised this year to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Public Service Act which
created a politically neutral, career public service, as well as the centenary of the PSA.
The aim is to foster solid discussion about how the public sector can best shape itself going into the future.
The public sector has faced significant change in recent years with technological changes throwing up new challenges,
government cutbacks and an environment of fiscal austerity, and the recent passing of new state sector legislation.
A host of well known speakers will cover a range of topics over the two day conference from open government, local
government, workplace conditions, what a unified public service looks like, as well as public sector accounting and
financial management.
Keynote speakers include Brian Easton on State Leadership in New Zealand’s Development and Massey University Vice
Chancellor Steve Maharey who will pose the question ‘Is the public realm dead’.
The results of the most comprehensive survey yet of what public sector workers think of their organisations and how they
can be more effective will also be released. The Public Sector Conference is being held 5-6 September at Rutherford
House on the Pipitea Campus of Victoria University, Wellington.
ENDS