Overview: Building a digitally capable public service
Information about how building a digitally capable public service aligns to the strategies and priorities of the New Zealand government.
Vision
A digitally capable public service workforce that effectively and efficiently serves New Zealanders.
Purpose of this information and guidance
This information and guidance will build a shared understanding of the digital capability of the public service workforce and the capability challenges public service agencies face. The guidance has practical steps for agencies to take, including using skills frameworks. It sets expectations about the way agencies build the digital capability of our public service workforce.
This is the first time information and guidance about building the digital capability of the public service workforce has been published in New Zealand.
You can find:
- information about our public service workforce and its digital capability
- guidance for what to consider when building digital capability in your agency and how to use the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA).
Audience
The main audience is public service agencies, digital leaders and people focusing on workforce capability, such as Human Resources (HR) professionals.
This information and guidance focuses on the digital workforce, digital technology specialists and digital leaders in the public service. However, a digitally capable public service workforce also includes the wider group of people in the public service who use digital technology day-to-day.
No single solution will work for all — agencies should use this information and guidance based on their needs.
This information and guidance is not intended to replace individual agency workforce plans. It provides information and guidance to support agency digital workforce planning and development efforts.
Anyone can use this information and guidance
This information and guidance may be used by anyone interested in digital capability in the workforce. This includes:
- the wider public sector
- iwi and Māori organisations
- the Public Service Association (PSA)
- private sector businesses and peak bodies representing organisations with shared interests
- education and training organisations
- recruiting companies and non-government organisations (NGOs).
This information and guidance may also be of interest to people working as digital technology specialists or digital leaders, or people who want to work in these roles.
This information and guidance focuses on the public service digital workforce, but this information and guidance could also apply to your agency’s data and cyber workforces.
Context and background
The public service workforce is a fundamental enabler of an effective and efficient public service. A digitally capable public service workforce means people have fit-for-purpose skills (technical and soft skills), knowledge, behaviours and experience.
Government priorities and the Service Modernisation Roadmap
Delivering effective and efficient public services is a key priority for government.
In the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) published the All-of-Government Service Modernisation Roadmap. The roadmap lays out a rolling 3-year programme of customer-focused digital initiatives from across the public service.
Building the digital capability of the public service workforce is a key initiative on the Service Modernisation Roadmap.
Strategy for a Digital Public Service
The Strategy for a Digital Public Service () set a whole-of-public-service direction to:
- improve the efficiency of the public service
- enable change
- support better services
- support the digital transformation of agencies.
The strategy puts people and businesses at the centre of government services, so that New Zealanders’ experiences with government are inclusive and accessible, improving responsiveness and reducing digital exclusion.
Strategy for a Digital Public Service
The Government Data Strategy and Roadmap and the Cyber Security Strategy
The Government Data Strategy and Roadmap () outlines a shared direction and plan for the government data system of Aotearoa NZ.
Government Data Strategy and Roadmap — data.govt.nz
The Cyber Security Strategy () outlines the areas where government will prioritise action and work together with individuals, businesses and communities to ensure that New Zealand is confident and secure in the digital world.
Cyber Security Strategy — Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Government Workforce Policy Statement
The policy statement sets out expectations for an effective employment relations environment in the public sector that supports the delivery of high performing, trusted and efficient public services. The statement is issued under the Public Service Act 2020. Public service agencies and Crown agents must give effect to this statement.
The Government Workforce Policy Statement (PDF 109KB)
Public Service Act 2020 — New Zealand Legislation
Wider factors affecting the capability of the workforce
The public service is operating in a wider context of change and uncertainty that includes demographic, technological, workforce capability change (including the changing nature of work) and climate change.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
We acknowledge te Tiriti in this information and guidance, including in sections on:
- the principles for a digitally capable public service workforce, particularly that to Māori, data is a taonga
- the underultilisation of Māori in the public service digital workforce
- suggestions on how to work more effectively with Māori and better reflect te ao Māori digital skills in your job descriptions.
Roles involved in building digital capability
Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO)
The GCDO is a system lead under section 56 of the Public Service Act 2020. The role is held by the Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs.
The GCDO works with and through government agencies and entities to support their digital initiatives and deliver customer-centred digital government. The GCDO’s role includes establishing and managing common cross-government processes, standards, infrastructure and services that agencies and the listed Crown agents are required to adopt.
Government settings — Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission
Public Service Commission (PSC)
The GCDO works closely with the Public Service Commissioner, who is the head of the public service. The Commissioner leads the public service and wider public sector to work together to deliver better services and outcomes for New Zealanders. Under the Public Service Act, the Commissioner’s functions include, responsibility for developing senior leadership and management capability in the public service and developing workforce capability and capacity.
The Commissioner and the wider public service leadership team have stewardship responsibilities to develop a highly-capable public service workforce that reflects the diversity of the society it serves and to ensure fair and equitable employment.
Evidence is critical to maintaining trust and confidence in the public service. The Commission has issued standards about the workforce data public service agencies collect and report on.
Standards of Workforce Data — Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission (PDF 221KB)
Workforce Data Occupation — Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission
Digital Executive Board, GCDO and GCISO
The GCDO works with the Digital Executive Board, and the public service system leads.
Digital Executive Board (the Board)
The Board drives and leads a whole-of-system approach to transform digital public services for New Zealand, including producing and implementing the Service Modernisation Roadmap that enables clear sequencing and prioritisation of investment.
Government Chief Data Steward (GCDS)
The GCDS supports the use of data as a resource across government to help deliver better service to New Zealanders.
Government Chief Data Steward (GCDS) — data.govt.nz
Government Chief Information Security Officer
The GCISO is responsible for the strategic direction and prioritisation of the New Zealand government’s approach to information security.
GCISO — Government Communications Security Bureau
Public service agencies
Agencies have a crucial role to play in building capability in their own agencies and contributing to the digital capability of the wider public service workforce.
Utility links and page information
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