System Capability Reviews

Recent reforms in the Public Service have increasingly focused on joined-up delivery of public services centred around the needs of the communities they serve. This recognises that no one agency alone is able to address some of the most complex issues facing New Zealand today. It also acknowledges that others outside of the Public Service – including business, non-government, iwi, and communities – all have a part to play in delivering solutions to these issues.  

While the capability of individual agencies is critical in creating a high performing Public Service, the step change we are aiming for requires us to think differently about how we design, build capability and organise our public services for the future. This means taking a broader focus on collective capability and performance across our public service agencies.  

To deliver the best outcomes for New Zealanders, Public Service agencies need to work collectively across outcomes, sectors and services to strengthen system leadership and strategically align workforces and core organisational capabilities. These efforts require organisational flexibility and the consideration of local, regional, and national needs. In working collectively, the leadership, capability and capacity of the Public Service to work as a single system can be improved and better outcomes for New Zealanders can be delivered.  

System Capability Reviews support agencies working effectively to deliver shared outcomes 

The Capability Review Programme is an important tool to help realise a modern and responsible Public Service that delivers for New Zealanders, now and in the future. System Capability Reviews, which form part of this Programme, provide a forward-looking view of the capability needed across groups of agencies that are delivering shared outcomes and working across common customers, clients, and businesses.  

The focus of these reviews is to unlock the potential of the Public Service by identifying ways to improve how public services are delivered, where responsibility for delivery is shared across agencies.  

System Capability Reviews provide an opportunity to step back and look at different and better ways to enhance how we do things, with a strong focus on the needs of New Zealanders. They will also provide the collective focus and future vision for how chief executives and agencies can continue to enhance the delivery of integrated and modern public services.   

The reviews are expected to use a similar process to Agency Capability Reviews, with adjustments to reflect and support the review covering multiple agencies and its focus on collective leadership and delivery. We are currently developing the System Capability Model and Review process. This page will be updated as soon as these products are finalised. 

Email us at CapabilityReview@publicservice.govt.nz if you’d like to know more about System Capability Reviews.