A (very) brief overview of Central Government

in New Zealand

Julie Starr | juliestarr.co.nz

government noun

1 (often the Government) a body of people, usually elected, with the power to control the affairs of a country or state.

2 a the way in which this is done; b the particular system used.

3 the act or practice of ruling; control.

- Chambers 21st Century Dictionary

1. Central Government2. Parliament3. The Executive4. Policy

1. Central Government

Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)

1. Legislature(Parliament)

House of Representatives

3. Judiciary2. ExecutiveMinisters &

State ServicesJudges &

Courts

1. Central Government: Structure

Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)

1. Legislature(Parliament)

House of Representatives

Create, modify, delete laws

1. Central Government: Responsibilities

Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)

2. ExecutiveGovernment ministers &

State Services

Draft laws, research, propose & implement policy

1. Central Government: Responsibilities

Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)

3. JudiciaryJudges &

Courts

Interpret and apply laws

1. Central Government: Responsibilities

2. Parliament

House of Representatives (Government + Opposition Members of Parliament)

Sovereign

(Represented by Governor

General)

+

The Debating Chamber

2. Parliament: Structure

Make, modify & unmake law

Provide a Government

Forum for political contests

Represent citizens

Hold Government to account

Approve Government taxes and spending

2. Parliament: Main Roles

Electorate Offices (Electorate MPs only)

Select Committees (Small committees that consider proposed laws)

Debating Chamber (Where proposed laws & other matters are debated)

Executive Council (Government ministers, senior policy advisers)

Cabinet (Senior Government ministers)

2. Parliament: Members of Parliament work in…

3. The Executive

GovernmentMinisters

State Services including:

State Services Commission

Crown EntitiesReserve Bank of New Zealand

Public Service DepartmentsNon-Public Service Departments

+

3. The Executive: Structure

Directs State Services on policy implementation

Acts to amend, add or delete laws accordingly

Determines policy (takes advice from State Services)

Decides what to spend in which policy areas

Government Roles State Services Roles

(Overseen by State Services Commission)

Implement policy through agencies

Research policy

Give policy advice to Government

3. The Executive: Roles

4. Policy

Policies address the supply and regulation of the requirements of life

Healthcare Schools Houses RetirementJobs & Economy

Cemeteries

Birth Childhood Families AgeingWorkforce Death

What is required?

How much/many required?

What is best way to provide structure, services and safeguards?

Should government provide it?

When is it needed by?

How much will it cost?

With limited funds available, what will be prioritised?

“Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists of choosing between the disastrous

and the unpalatable.”

JK Galbraith 1908-2006

Economic adviser to President John Kennedy

What to read next:Parliament.nz/How Parliament Works

Nation & Government: Te Ara NZ (Encyclopedia)Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet

Who makes and applies the law: Ministry of JusticeCourts of NZ

Legislation.govt.nzNZ: Our Constitution

About the State Services CommissionList of State Sector Organisations

Julie Starr | juliestarr.co.nz