Introduction
The purpose of this page is to provide Public Service and State sector agencies with easy access, in one place, to a range of information sources that they may usefully consider when developing or reviewing their workforce strategies and/or implementing those strategies through workforce policies or bargaining.
In putting this information together, we have aimed to provide access to a reasonably comprehensive range of information. We do not suggest that we have provided access to all information relevant to an agencies’ workforce strategy. Nor do we endorse the accuracy of any particular information or commentary associated with it.
If you have links to anything else you think should be included in this list please contact the Workforce & Employment Relations Team Marilyn.Rimmer@SSC.govt.nz.
Workforce Environment scan 2015
This document is a useful reference to help agencies with workforce planning and Four-year Plans. The scan was requested and initiated by agencies and has been produced as a collaborative effort from 21 agencies.
workforce-environment-scan-2015.pdf (896 KB)
The state of the economy – present and future
What is the state of the economy generally?
Treasury produces an annual overview of the structure, performance and history of the New Zealand economy. It contains a wide range of information and is a good starting point for understanding the economic context within which to do workforce planning.
www.treasury.govt.nz/economy/overview
Treasury’s briefing to the incoming Minister provides an overview of the medium term economic outlook. It is up to date immediately following a general election, but may be dated in some respects over the following three years
www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/briefings
Where is the economy headed?
Treasury’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook provides an up to date set of basic statistics on where the economy is headed.
www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/forecasts/befu2015
What is the state of the government’s finances, and what is coming up?
Treasury’s Statements on New Zealand’s long term fiscal position gives a good overview on the government’s present and future finances. These are required to look out at least 40 years, and are published at least every four years.
www.treasury.govt.nz/government/longterm
What is happening with the cost of living?
The consumer price index (CPI) provides information about the rate of inflation. This is measured by comparing the price of a standard ‘basket of goods and services’ over time. The basket of goods and services is designed to be representative of what and how much the average household purchases.
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/CPI_inflation.aspx
You can use the Reserve Bank’s inflation calculator to calculate inflation for any period of time you want
www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/0135595.html
Demographic information
What are the general population characteristics and trends?
Population (census, births, deaths, population estimates, etc)
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population.aspx
Who lives where, and what are the trends?
Estimated populations in different geographic regions
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/subnational-pop-estimates-tables.aspx
Population trends in different geographic regions
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/geographic-areas/local-population-trends.aspx
What about migration and immigration?
Migration and immigration statistics
www.dol.govt.nz/research/migration/index.asp
Labour market and diversity and inclusion information
What is happening with employment and unemployment?
Data on employment and unemployment, supply and demand and future trends
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work/employment_and_unemployment.aspx
Labour Cost Index
The LCI measures how much have wages and salaries increased overtime. The Labour Cost Index (LCI) is used to calculate percentage increases in wages for a fixed quantity and quality of labour. The figure that Statistics New Zealand recommends as an indicator of wage increases is the adjusted percentage change in ‘all salary and wage rates’ (including overtime). The LCI also provides sector breakdown of wage movements (public or private).
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/prices_indexes/labour-cost-index-salary-and-wage-rates-info-releases.aspx
Labour Cost Index (all labour costs)
Statistics New Zealand also produces an annual Labour Cost Index, which includes all labour costs. This is released for the June quarter. The annual index combines the salary and wage costs measured in the quarterly releases with the addition of non-wage labour costs such as medical insurance, superannuation, annual leave, and Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) employer premiums.
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/prices_indexes/labour-cost-index-all-labour-costsinfo-releases.aspx
Quarterly Employment survey
If you are looking for average hourly earnings, average number of hours worked in a week, or average weekly earnings from wages or salaries, the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) is the best source. Data is also provided broken down by sector (public or private), industry, and sex.
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work/employment_and_unemployment/quarterly-employment-survey-info-releases.aspx
Incomes
The New Zealand Income Survey (NZIS) is a supplement to the June quarter Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) and provides a snapshot of income levels for people and households. The NZIS gives median and average weekly income for the June quarter from most sources including government transfers, investments, self-employment and wages and salaries. For those receiving income from wages and salaries, statistics on average and median hourly earnings are also available.
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work.aspx and
www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work/Income/nz-income-survey-info-releases.aspx
What is happening about diversity and inclusion?
The Human Rights Commission provides a range of information about diversity and inclusion
www.hrc.co.nz/eeo/
as does the National Equal Opportunities Network
www.neon.org.nz/trackingequalityatwork/
Diversity toolkits are available on
www.eeotrust.org.nz/toolkits/index.cfm
State sector information
What information is available on agency funding and guidance
Treasury publishes a range of materials offering guidance to State sector agencies.
www.treasury.govt.nz/statesector
The funding history for specific agencies/sectors can be viewed at
www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/votehistory
Where can we find Public Service workforce statistics?
The State Services Commission conducts a Human Resource Capability Survey and produces data on the State sector workforce.
publicservice.govt.nz/workforce-stats
A report on remuneration for senior staff
publicservice.govt.nz/rem-senior-state-sector-staff-to-30june14
Government policies on workforce, employment relations and bargaining
The Government has a range of policies relating to workforce. These include the Government’s Expectations re pay and employment conditions and redeployment. You can access these policies via the State Services Commission Employment Relations page publicservice.govt.nz/er