New Zealand offers a global case study of new public management. In this timely volume, Rodney Scott and Peter Hughes track the subtle but sustained evolution of an extraordinary experiment. Their analysis and personal insights inform a compelling account of how a contractual public service machine became a community of practice marked by autonomy and discretion. Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australia "In public administration - as in so much else - New Zealand has the well-deserved reputation for being a fearless innovator. This book captures the story of those innovations, offering thought-provoking insights into what makes the New Zealand approach unique, and what the rest of us can learn from it." Dennis Grube, University of Cambridge Good public administration is essential for economic prosperity and social cohesion, as it ensures the efficient allocation of available resources, effective policy implementation and transparent governance. By fostering trust in institutions, it creates a stable environment for businesses to thrive and encourages fair and equitable opportunities for everyone to get ahead. This strengthens social cohesion, as citizens feel confident in their governments ability to address their needs and promote overall well-being. This book presents an insightful exploration of contemporary public administration in New Zealand. The OECD is proud to be working with New Zealand through our policy reviews and recommendations, comparative international data and analysis, and our network for government officials, to support ongoing public sector innovation and reform. In turn, we greatly benefit from New Zealands insights, expertise and experiences across the OECDs work with members and partners to support better policies for better lives.
Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD
