State of the Public Service Te Kahu Tuatini

In December 2025, the Public Service Commissioner, Sir Brian Roche, released the second ‘State of the Public Service’ briefing, Te Kahu Tuatini. This 3-yearly briefing highlights the progress the Public Service is making across key areas, and where it can improve.

The briefing discusses that New Zealand’s Public Service is built on a committed and professional workforce, but faces global challenges and future demands that require change.

To remain effective, the system must reduce fragmentation, accelerate and harmonise technology and AI adoption, and better organise services around citizens and businesses.

Looking ahead, key shifts include creating a unified digital front door, centralising digital investment, embracing technology and AI, and strengthening leadership to ensure long-term resilience and success in a challenging fiscal environment.

The Public Service Act 2020 put in place requirements to provide for strong stewardship of the Public Service now and into the future. One of those is the requirement for the Public Service Commissioner to prepare a 3-yearly briefing on the state of the Public Service. State of the Public Service Te Kahu Tuatini is the second report under the Act.