Contemporary Public Administration in New Zealand

This book provides an updated account of New Zealand public administration, including insider stories of leading reform.


Hailed for its distinctiveness and high performance, New Zealand’s radical public service reforms of the 1980s were studied, praised, criticised, and emulated around the world.


However, New Zealand has not stood still. The 80s model had tremendous strengths, reducing some problems but also creating new problems and exacerbating others. More recent reforms layered cultural and behavioural approaches on top of earlier changes.


This book, co-authored by the head of the New Zealand public service, describes decades of change, what worked, what didn’t, and what challenges remain.