About

Machinery of Government is a two day training course designed specifically with the recent change of Government in mind.  In this course you will gain an understanding of the Public Sector in New Zealand, how offices interact, where your organisation fits and how legislation is passed.

Learn how you can effectively serve your Minister’s needs, and how to use and respond to Official Information Act requests in a timely and appropriate manner.

Are you new to Government? Still wondering how it all works?

Machinery of Government is our brand new training course designed specifically for those who are new to the public sector, or coming to grips with how the new Government works.

By attending this course, you will gain an overview of the roles of various government agencies and how they interact, along with insights into how you can effectively serve your Minister and the public at large.  Expect an interactive two days, full of real life case studies based on the New Zealand public sector, and exercises to put your new skills and knowledge to work.

Key Learning Objectives
• Understand the structure of the Government and Public Sector in New Zealand
• Understand key obligations applicable to Government Employees under State Services legislation including political neutrality, transparency
• Understand the processes of Government, Cabinet, the legislative process and the procedure and operation of Select Committees
• Learn how to effectively use the Official Information Act and respond promptly with OIA requests

Who Should Attend
Anyone who works in Government will benefit from this course, particularity those new to the public sector who wish to gain an understanding of how the public sector and government work including:
• Parliamentary Services
• Employees of Ministries and Other government departments
• Employees of crown owned entities
• Local Government
• Those working directly with government as consultants or suppliers

Training methodology
This two day masterclass will utilise adult learning methods, small group work and case studies with interactive learning exercises. All attendees will be provided with a workbook and a certificate of completion.

Outline

Course times 9am-5pm – Refreshment breaks and lunch are included

The State Sector
• An overview of the public sector in New Zealand
• Where does your agency/organisation fit?
• Codes of Conduct
• The Treaty of Waitangi
Case Study: Public Service Ethics and Responsibilities

Public Service departments, Crown entities and other State sector organisations
• Public Service departments
• Non-Public Service departments
• Crown entities
• Public Finance Act Fourth Schedule Organisations
• Reserve Bank of New Zealand
• Offices of Parliament
• State-owned enterprises
• Officials and Ministers
Case Study: Effectively meeting your ministers needs

The Machinery of Parliament
• Overview of the Political Parties
• How does parliament work?

Reforms
• New Zealand Government pre and post reforms
• Why were there reforms?
• Where to now?

Legislation applying to all state sector employees
• Crown Entities Act 2004
• Human Rights Act 1993
• NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990
• Official Information Act 1992
• Protected Disclosures Act 2000
• Public Finance Act 1989
• State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986
• State Sector Act 1988
• Coordinated state agencies
Case Study: Working effectively with other agencies

Working with the Official Information Act
• Disclosure and withholding of information
• Formal processes
• Appeals to the ombudsmen
Case Study: OIA Requests

Cabinet and Cabinet processes
• The Cabinet Office Manual
• Cabinet papers
• Appearing before Cabinet Committees
Case Study: Cabinet processes
Case Study: Regulatory Impact Statements

The Legislative Process
• What is your role in the legislative process?
• Processes
• Requirements of good legislation
• LAC guidelines
• Drafting
• Bill of Rights
• Introduction and first reading
• The Select Committee stage
• Second reading, Committee of the whole house and Third Reading
Case Study: Taking a Bill through the House

Facilitator

Rob Smith, Senior Associate, Allen & Clarke

Rob will be your course facilitator.  He will also present some of the modules along with David, Mathew, and Allen & Clarke’s other experts.  Rob has over 11 years experience working within the government sector – both as a public sector employee and as a senior Allen & Clarke consultant.  Rob has led a range of projects across the full policy and legislative development continuum and has a sound working knowledge of the machinery of government.  He is an excellent project manager and has worked on numerous on inter-sectoral projects, involving diverse stakeholders.
 
Expert speakers from Allen & Clarke  
 
The modules in the course will be presented by expert speakers from a leading New Zealand policy consultancy firm Allen & Clarke Policy and Regulatory Specialists.  Allen & Clarke provides policy, project management, legislative development, and evaluation services to a wide range of government agencies.  
 
Allen & Clarke’s two Directors are:
 
David Clarke LLM (Hons) – David has over 20 years experience working in senior legal roles in the public sector and as a principal legal and policy consultant.  He is an expert in the practice and processes of government, with extensive experience in developing and implementing policy and legislation.
 
Matthew Allen BSc, Dip Env Hlth, MA (Appl) Env St – Mathew has an extensive background in both central and local government having worked in operational, senior policy, and management roles.  He has led numerous complex policy projects requiring the development of best practice policy approaches.   

In-house Training