Plans and resources
Open Government Partnership National Action Plans and other open government resources.
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.
Participate in the Open Government Partnership
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the development and implementation of our National Action Plans.
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission is supporting the Minister for the Public Service to develop New Zealand's fifth National Action Plan under the Open Government Partnership.
The Minister's theme for this action plan is 'Strengthening integrity in the Public Service'. We will be using the Commission's integrity action plan to start the conversation and guide the development of the plan's commitments.
You can find more information about New Zealand's fifth National Action Plan (including how to get involved) and the Commission's integrity action plan below.
New Zealand's fifth National Action Plan
Action plan to strengthen Public Service integrity
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.
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
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.
Deliberative processes – citizens’ juries and citizens’ assemblies
Open Government Partnership
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
The Public Service Commission is currently developing New Zealand’s Fifth National Action Plan.
Open Government Partnership’s operation and process information is outlined on the OGP international website.
Homepage – opengovpartnership.org
Contact the Open Government Partnership team
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission is the administrator of New Zealand's Open Government Partnership.
Level 10, Te Iho
1 Bowen Street
PO Box 329
Wellington 6140
+64 4 495 6600
Archived OGP website
An archived version of ogp.org.nz is available at the New Zealand Web Archive on the National Library website.
