A few slides to act as triggers for classroom conversation about the structure and roles of central government in New Zealand. Feedback welcome. You might prefer this video published in 2015 by parliament.nz: http://youtu.be/IiXib-LR6ZM.

1. A (very) brief overview
of Central Government
in New Zealand
Julie Starr | juliestarr.co.nz

2. 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

3. 1. Central Government
2. Parliament
3. The Executive
4. Policy

4. 1. Central Government

5. 1. Central Government: Structure
Sovereign
(Represented by Governor General)
1. Legislature
(Parliament)
House of
Representatives
2. Executive 3. Judiciary
Ministers &
State Services
Judges &
Courts

6. 1. Central Government: Responsibilities
Sovereign
(Represented by Governor General)
1. Legislature
(Parliament)
House of
Representatives
Create, modify, delete laws

7. 1. Central Government: Responsibilities
Sovereign
(Represented by Governor General)
2. Executive
Government
ministers &
State Services
Draft laws, research, propose
& implement policy

8. 1. Central Government: Responsibilities
Sovereign
(Represented by Governor General)
3. Judiciary
Judges &
Courts
Interpret and apply laws

9. 2. Parliament

10. 2. Parliament: Structure
House of Representatives
(Government + Opposition
Members of Parliament)
Sovereign
(Represented
by Governor
General)
+
The Debating Chamber

11. 2. Parliament: Main Roles
Make, modify & unmake law
Provide a Government
Hold Government to account
Approve Government taxes and spending
Forum for political contests
Represent citizens

12. 2. Parliament: Members of Parliament work in…
Cabinet (Senior Government ministers)
Executive Council (Government ministers, senior policy advisers)
Debating Chamber (Where proposed laws & other matters are debated)
Select Committees (Small committees that consider proposed laws)
Electorate Offices (Electorate MPs only)

13. 3. The Executive

14. 3. The Executive: Structure
Government
Ministers
State Services
including:
State Services Commission
Public Service Departments
Non-Public Service Departments
Crown Entities
Reserve Bank of New Zealand
+

15. 3. The Executive: Roles
Government Roles State Services Roles
Determines policy
(takes advice from State Services)
Decides what to spend in
which policy areas
Acts to amend, add or delete
laws accordingly
Directs State Services on
policy implementation
Research policy
Give policy advice to
Government
Implement policy through
agencies
(Overseen by State Services
Commission)

16. 4. Policy

17. Policies address the
supply and regulation of
the requirements of life

18. Birth Childhood Workforce Families Ageing Death
Healthcare Schools Jobs & Houses Retirement
Economy
Cemeteries

19. 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?

20. “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

21. 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 Justice
Courts of NZ
Legislation.govt.nz
NZ: Our Constitution
About the State Services Commission
List of State Sector Organisations
Julie Starr | juliestarr.co.nz