Long-term Insights Briefings - Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission

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He Puka Whakamārama i te Pae TawhitiLong-term Insights Briefings

Section 01
He Puka Whakamārama i te Pae TawhitiLong-term Insights Briefings — public consultations

13 September 2021

Long-term Insights Briefings are designed to be ‘think pieces’ on the future, rather than government policy, providing information about medium and long-term trends, risks and opportunities that affect or may affect New Zealand and New Zealand society.

The new Public Service Act 2020 (Schedule 6, clauses 8 and 9) requires government departments, independently of ministers and in consultation with the public, to develop and publish Long-term Insights Briefings at least once every 3 years.

Schedule 6, clause 8, Public Service Act 2020 — New Zealand Legislation

The Briefings are also accompanied by information and impartial analysis, including options for policy responses, and provide an opportunity to enhance public debate on long-term issues. This means the public can contribute to future decision making, helping us collectively as a country to think about, and plan, for the future.

Te Tukanga Whakarite me te Wātaka
Development process and timing

Government departments follow an 8-step process, which supports public consultation at two distinct points, as depicted in the diagram below. More detailed information is provided on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

Long-term Insights Briefings – Detailed steps of the development process — Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Most government departments started work on their first Long-term Insights Briefing in April 2021.

Steps in the Long-term Insights Briefing Process. 8 steps are undertaken across an indicative timeframe between April 2021 and March 2023. Public consultation takes place at Step 3 and Step 5, with the final briefing provided to the appropriate minister at Step 6. After Select Committee examination, the agency conducts a review activity and continues the cycle.

Me pēhea te whai wāhi mai
How to get involved

How we plan for the future affects us all and our future generations. So it is important that government departments provide the public with the opportunity for meaningful and inclusive engagement. This will help ensure that the briefings are relevant and focused on what matters for New Zealand.

Government departments will consult on the proposed subject matter for the focus of the briefing (Step 3) and on the draft briefing once developed (Step 5). They may also engage with segments of the community and the wider public at other steps throughout the briefing process.

Find access to public consultations underway and feedback from completed consultations on our website.

Long-term Insights Briefings — public consultations

He rauemi anō
Other resources

A suite of guidance materials has been developed to support government departments with developing their Long-term Insights Briefings. These set out what’s required by the Public Service Act 2020, good practice for what to include and how to develop the briefings. The suite of guidance materials is divided into high-level guidance and more detailed guidance.