Open Government Partnership

New Zealand’s Open Government Partnership web content has moved from a stand-alone site to Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission’s website here, saving costs and making information easier to locate. Past content has been archived but is still accessible at the link at the bottom of the page.

Defining ‘open government’

The term ‘open government’ was initially used to convey the idea of government information transparency, aided by the use of technology, and enhanced government accountability. ‘Open government’ is now used to convey a broader concept, encompassing not only government transparency and accountability but also the high standards of governance and citizen participation in government that characterise a strong democracy.

Open government in New Zealand

New Zealand has a well-established reputation for open government. Government information has been publicly accessible since the Official Information Act was enacted in 1982 and government information, including Cabinet papers, is increasingly proactively released.

New Zealand’s public management system is rated highly in international measures for transparency, accountability and integrity. For example, according to the V-Dem Democracy Indices or Democracy Reports, New Zealand was the 7th-most electoral democratic country in the world in 2024. New Zealand has consistently rated highly in the Open Budget Survey and the Corruptions Perceptions Index. Trust in the New Zealand Public Service is also measured by the Kiwis Count survey.

Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) – V-Dem.net

Open Budget Survey 2023 – InternationalBudget.org

Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 – Transparency.org

Trust in the Public Service

Kiwis Count

The principles of open government, integrity, and acting with a spirit of service are embedded in New Zealand’s Public Service Act 2020. The Public Service Act recognises the rights of Māori as citizens and as Iwi members under the Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi.

Principles guidance: Open government

Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plans supplement the New Zealand government’s broader open government practice. New Zealanders increasingly expect to be informed about, and involved in, the issues and decisions that affect them. Community engagement allows those affected by a decision or issue to be involved, to help understanding of the problem, the issues and risks and to create solutions that better meet peoples' needs and achieve policy objectives.

Government policy and services are increasingly being designed and delivered through greater collaboration with citizens and the community. Central government is increasingly working alongside local government and community groups at the regional level. New Zealand’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic and significant weather events has accelerated the shift towards increased community engagement in government decision-making.

Recent examples of government engaging with the community to achieve robust, fit-for-purpose policy and service design goals can be found on our website.

Community engagement

Deliberative processes – citizens’ juries and citizens’ assemblies

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) was launched in 2011 by President Obama alongside the U.N. General Assembly. President Obama and 7 other heads of state, together with civil society leaders, endorsed an Open Government Declaration while announcing country ‘action plans’. The Open Government Partnership is a voluntary, multilateral initiative to promote open government, combat corruption, and improve governance. Currently around 75 countries are OGP members.

New Zealand joined Open Government Partnership in 2013 and completed the Fourth National Action Plan at the end of 2024. In 2023, we explored options for improving delivery of the Open Government Partnership initiative and reviewed its effectiveness.

Open Government Partnership review

In 2025, New Zealand’s Fifth National Action Plan will be developed, with proposed commitments submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Open Government Partnership’s operation and process information is outlined on the OGP international website.

Homepage – opengovpartnership.org

Open Government Declaration – opengovpartnership.org

Members – opengovpartnership.org

OGP process – opengovpartnership.org

Policy areas – opengovpartnership.org

Participate in the Open Government Partnership

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the development and implementation of our National Action Plans.

This year, New Zealand’s Fifth National Action Plan will be developed, with proposed commitments submitted to Cabinet for approval. The first part of the process is to gather ideas.

If you would like to receive Open Government Partnership updates including opportunities to have your say, please subscribe to our mailing list. We also share updates on our news and events page.

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OGP news and events