Tā te Kawa Mataaho Role of Public Service Commission Te Kawa Mataaho

The Commission’s purpose is to lead the Public Service to perform for New Zealand.

We will take a position when required, we will back public servants, and we will protect the integrity of the Public Service. We will ensure that the system is focused on delivering the services that New Zealanders want, need and expect.

The Public Service Commissioner is the Head of Service. They provide leadership and oversight to the Public Service, and wider public sector agencies, to ensure they work as one system. The Commissioner also acts to protect and enhance the legitimacy of, and trust in, the Public Service, ensuring it achieves its purpose and has the spirit of service at its heart.

The Public Service Act 2020 provides the Commissioner with the mandate, powers, and levers to lead and oversee the Public Service. The Commissioner’s influence is strongest within the Public Service, where they are the employer of department and departmental agency chief executives. Some responsibilities, including integrity, extend across parts of the wider public sector.

Under the Act, the Commissioner’s functions include:

• leading the Public Service to improve services and outcomes for New Zealanders
• promoting Public Service integrity and good conduct, accountability and transparency, including through standards and guidance
• appointing, employing and reviewing the performance of department and departmental agency chief executives
• developing senior leadership and management capability in the Public Service, working with departmental chief executives
• promoting workforce capability, capacity, and employment relations capability
• advising on improvements to the design and operation of government agencies
• reviewing agency performance, supporting improvement, and conducting investigations and inquiries.

We will maintain a strong and sustainable organisation with the people, leadership, systems, information and organisational capability required to deliver our statutory responsibilities and strategic priorities. We will continue to strengthen how we organise and deliver our work, ensuring that our resources, services and capabilities support effective decision-making, high-quality delivery and long-term stewardship of the Public Service system.