Government

Whatever its cuts, public service must give Govt what it wants

The next Public Services Commissioner must get ministers’ agreement to refine expectations on public service leaders so they can build strength to deliver the policies of the government of the day, writes the country’s top former civil service boss.

by Len Cook 09/02/202409/02/2024

Peter Hughes is leaving the building. Len Cook highlights the first priority for the next Public Service Commissioner. Photo: Lynn Grieveson

Opinion: The expectations placed by ministers on the new Public Service Commissioner, who will be appointed this year, are far greater than that faced by previous appointees.

The heightened visibility of a long-standing mix of environmental, economic and social issues requires a public service that must be able to ensure governments can competently face them.

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