Hon. David Parker, Minister of State Services, announced the finalists at an evening event in Wellington. Public sector agencies from central and local government were recognised for their excellence in delivery of services to the public and in organisational management across a number of award categories. Media organisations were also celebrated for balanced, informative stories that raise the level of debate about public policy and management issues.
The IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards celebrate and reward public sector excellence, says Ross Tanner, President of the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ). IPANZ is a voluntary, non-profit organisation which promotes improvements in and a wider understanding of public management and policy.
Mr Tanner said the independent judging panel looked for excellence in vision, innovation and results amongst the 37 entries for the Awards, as well as specific criteria relating to each category. The winners and the Prime Minister's Award for Public Sector Excellence will be announced on 27 May 2008.
The finalists include:
State Services Commission Award for Excellence in People Capability
- Land Transport New Zealand: Fostering Leaders Strategy
- New Zealand Police: Development and Implementation of the New Zealand Police Leadership and Management Development Framework
The Leadership Development Centre Award for Excellence in Managerial Leadership
- Ministry of Women's Affairs: Organisational Transformation
- Tertiary Education Commission: Re-creating an organisation
Te Puni Kokiri Award for Excellence in Crown-Maori Relationships
- Far North District Council: Tai Tokerau Iwi Chief Executives and Local/ Regional Government Engagement Model
- New Plymouth District Council: The Rewa Rewa Agreement
Microsoft Award for Joined-up Government
- Inland Revenue Department/ MED: Companies On-line Project, Phase 2
- Ministry of Justice: Electronic Filing of Infringement Notices
- Department of Building and Housing: Quality, Connected and Accessible Client Services (QCA)
Russell McVeagh Award for Working Together
- Ministry of Social Development: Negotiations for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons
- Ministry of Social Development: The Great Little Cookbook
- Ministry of Social Development/ Families Commission: Campaign for Action on Family Violence Phase one-Creating Social Change
- Ministry of Social Development: Improving Outcomes for Young people in Counties/ Manukau (Youth Gangs)
Talent2 Award for Excellence in Media
- Sunday Star Times for reporting on Kiwi Saver by Rob Stock: nominated by the Inland Revenue Department
- Waikato Times for an article on the work of the Child Youth and Families Service by Denise Irvine: nominated by the Ministry of Social Development
The Awards programme is funded by sponsorship. ICT services provider, Gen-i, is the principal sponsor. Chris Quin, General Manager of Gen-i, congratulated the finalists and said the decision to sponsor the awards stemmed from Gen-i's close links to the public sector throughout New Zealand.
"Gen-i shares IPANZ's passion for excellence. We are proud to support the Awards and have the opportunity to help promote and reward superior achievement in the public sector." said Mr Quin.