12 August 2022

New Zealand is growing and becoming more diverse. Like many developed nations we are grappling with how to successfully address the complex issues result from rapid social and economic change.  New Zealand is not immune from macrotrends influencing work and workforces globally.  These Future of Work trends include ageing populations, differing social values and expectations around work which are already shifting as people seek to balance work and other life demands.  

 

Preparing for tomorrow, today

During 2019/20 the Commission worked across the Public Service to explore what the Public Service workforce could look like 10 to 15 years from now. The goal of this early work was to develop resource documents to enable a conversation across the public sector on how we build the future public service workforce and to support agencies’ thinking about their own workforce planning and strategy approach.

These documents should not be read as formal policy. They are intended as working documents to support discussion and our collective thinking. The views expressed are open to debate and challenge.

A workforce environment scan

Outlines the major trends shaping the Public Service workforce now and into the future. Provides links to other relevant resources of interest for those wanting further information.

Public Workforce 2035 - Futures Scan (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Draft vision for the future public service workforce

Based on our starting point in 2020, this working vision, developed by people from across the Public Service, paints an early view of how our public service workforce could look in 2035.

The future public service workforce for Aotearoa New Zealand - a draft vision for 2035 (PDF, 1.3 MB)

Workforce change - enablers and levers

Provides a high level picture of the tools/mechanisms to support and effect workforce change.

Shaping the Future Workforce - Enablers and Levers (PDF, 116 KB)

Background papers were also developed as part of this research 

Demographic & workforce change

Explores demographic change in New Zealand and the current public sector workforce and implications for the future.

Future of Work Environmental scan - Demographic and Labour Force Change (PDF, 923 KB)

Future ‘Kiwi’ Public Servant

Considers the range of capabilities that future public servants will need based on readings from New Zealand and overseas.

Future 'Kiwi' Public Servant? (PDF, 369 KB)

Interview Series: Change Themes

Summarises key workforce change themes and challenges for the New Zealand Public Service workforce from in-depth interviews with a diverse group of 25 public sector leaders and a small number of external commentators and experts.

Future Public Service Workforce Interview Series Oct 2019-Jan 2020 - Summary of Change Themes (PDF, 415 KB)