The National-led Government understands that New Zealand families expect the Government to be spending their hard-earned taxes on the things that matter.
That is why in this term, we have made it one of our four key priorities to build a public service that is more innovative, enterprising, driven and focused on results.
A year ago, I set 10 specific targets that I expect our public service to deliver over the next four to five years. They are across five result areas and intended to address some of the difficult issues we face as a country – such as reducing long-term welfare dependency, educational under-achievement and crime.
First Report
Earlier this month, we issued the first report on progress against these targets. The results have been promising. While we are only one year in, they confirm that our public service is succeeding in finding new ways of delivering better services.
Some of our most promising gains include the following:
In the year to March 2013, the number of long-term beneficiaries has dropped from 78,212 to 75,366
For the year ending June 30, 2013, the participation rate of children in early childhood education was up 0.7% compared to the same period last year
Data for the 2012 year shows that 77.2% of 18-year-olds achieved NCEA level 2, an increase of 2.9% on 2011
From June 2012 to March 2013, crime was down 6%
We know that there is still a long way to go. When we originally set the targets, we understood that there would be challenges along the way, and that progress would not always be even and consistent.
But I am pleased about the good start made by government agencies.
We will continue to work hard to ensure that taxpayers receive better value for their money. Better public services are about improved frontline services, reduced costs and quality results, and they are all part of the brighter future that the National-led Government is building for New Zealand.
John Key is Prime Minister of New Zealand. The above article is exclusive to Indian Newslink.
