Skip to main content

30 June 2021 - Expert Advisory Panel Meeting

Attendees

Representatives from Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission

Members of the Expert Advisory Panel

Representatives from civil society organisations

Topics for discussion

  • Open government programme
  • Open Government Partnership (OGP) update
  • Civil society organisations’ role when working with government
  • Budgeting for action plan commitments (an example of one in use is the Digital Government Partnership Innovation Fund)

Notes

Comments from the Commissioner 

  • Update on the priorities under the new Public Service Act 2020 – opportunities to create pathways in access to information (ATI), active citizenship, open government and participation in the design of services areas
  • The proactive release of Cabinet material policy is in place
  • We need to build from that to open access and proactive release
  • Active citizenship and participation is using the traditional consultation model – draft, put out for consultation, update and confirm. We want to see a shift in the system – find good examples of co-design and build on them
  • Keep moving both within the OGP timetable but also what can be progressed faster

OGP update 

  • Letter with information about moving to the 2022 cohort is with OGP
  • Heading towards the last of the public workshops
  • Te Kawa Mataaho is scheduling meetings with the Expert Advisory Panel and civil society organisations with the aim of building a shared understanding of future steps

Comments from civil society organisations

  • We need a shared understanding of what open government is or what it means
  • Te Kawa Mataaho should guide chief executives regarding open government and assess their progress 
  • Civil society organisations welcome the opportunity to work with Te Kawa Mataaho - an opportunity to demonstrate good participation – even to extent of civil society organisations co-owning a commitment (similar to UK)

Discussion 

  • Te Kawa Mataaho is now measuring public trust and confidence quarterly – needs to also be looked at agency by agency where possible
  • Mis- and dis-information an increasing area of concern – openness allows public to check for themselves
  • Need more examples of government agencies working together (joint ventures such as family and domestic violence work) 
  • Need to provide diversity and give communities mana and build from their strengths – community-based or -led solutions 
  • Many civil society organisations and community groups are unfunded – need to build non-government capacity and knowledge