The Department of Internal Affairs

The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation

 

Resource material › Corporate Publications › Statement of Intent 2011-14Tauāki Whakamaunga AtuMeasuring progress and performance

Measuring the Department’s contribution and cost-effectiveness

Developing improved performance measurement, including measures of cost-effectiveness, will be a key focus for the Department in 2011/12.

This year, the Department implemented a comprehensive and collaborative process across the organisation to develop a new performance framework (comprising outcomes, objectives, impacts, outputs, indicators and performance measures) that meaningfully reflects its diverse functions, and the complexity of the relationships between its services and their contribution to the outcomes and objectives.

The tables on the following pages present a range of indicators, trend information and standards of relevance to the Department’s outcomes and objectives. Wherever available, the latest actual results for each impact and supporting objective indicator have been provided as a benchmark. Collectively, these will assist us in demonstrating progress towards our outcomes and objectives, and success in achieving our intended impacts. The Department will also use the measures in the Information Supporting the Estimates 2011/12 to assess the performance of the services it provides.

The Department has identified the areas of the framework that require additional investigation and will focus on developing indicators in these areas. The Department will also further develop and refine existing indicators to ensure their continued relevance, and identify new indicators where required. This will include exploring mechanisms to assess the level of capability of public sector organisations in areas of significance to the Department, for example assessing their capability to maintain the integrity of public records and personal information they hold.

The Department’s ability to measure its contribution and demonstrate cost-effectiveness will continue to be refined over the next year as the Department focuses on:

  • further developing and refining indicators for the outcomes, objectives, and impacts to ensure their continued relevance, and identifying new indicators where appropriate

  • completing the review of outputs and performance measures

  • utilising the identified measures and indicators to develop a meaningful approach to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Department’s services.

Progress towards outcomes

The Department’s main indicators to assess progress towards the outcomes, intermediate outcomes and impacts are below. The outcome and intermediate outcome indicators describe what the Department seeks to achieve at the highest level. The impact indicators describe the intended effect of the Department’s services. The results for the indicators, and particularly those for the outcomes and intermediate outcomes, are subject to a wide range of influences and will be carefully analysed to inform decision making and future interventions.

Outcomes and
Intermediate Outcomes
Indicators Trends
New Zealand’s diverse people and communities/hapū/iwi are resilient and prosperous
  • People live in safe and secure environments
  • People engage with and contribute to their diverse communities in ways that strengthen those communities
  • People participate in civic society and add value to economic activity
People’s involvement in their communities  
Percentage of people who say they feel a sense of community in their local neighbourhood. Source: Quality of Life Survey. 2006: 59%; 2008: 58.4%
Percentage of people who would like to have more of a say in what their council does. Source: Quality of Life Survey. 2006: 53.0%; 2008: 48.0%
People’s participation in democratic processes  
Number of candidates standing for local authority elections. Source: Internal Affairs survey. 2004:4,092; 2007: 4,123
Percentage of voter turnout at local authority elections. Source: Internal Affairs survey. 2004: 46%; 2007: 44%
New Zealand is recognised for creating, sharing and using knowledge for social, cultural and economic well-being
  • People use information for innovation and knowledge creation
People’s innovation and knowledge-creation/sharing/use  
Indicators are to be investigated  
The people of New Zealand have a strong and valued national identity, culture and heritage
  • People (including people in other nations) value our documentary heritage and taonga
  • People, organisations and other nations trust New Zealand’s identity and public information
Extent of perceived value of national identity, culture and heritage  
Number of countries allowing visa-free access to New Zealand passport holders. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2009/10: 50+ countries allowed visa-free access
Further indicators to be developed.  
Impacts Indicators Performance standards
People and communities understand and manage hazards and risks Level of awareness and preparedness  
Percentage of people prepared at home, work or both for civil defence emergencies. Source: Internal Affairs Survey. 2009/10: 24% people prepared at home; 11% people prepared both at home and at work. We are aiming for this percentage to increase over time.
Percentage of people who are aware of ways to avoid gambling too much. Source: Health and Lifestyles Survey (Health Sponsorship Council.) 2010: 69.8%. We are aiming for this percentage to increase over time.
Participants in regulated activities behave responsibly and with integrity Breaches of regulation in Department’s areas of regulatory expertise  
Number of breaches of relevant gambling regulations detected. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2009/10: 363 breaches detected. We are aiming for this number to decrease over time.
Number of official censorship-related warnings issued. Source: Internal Affairs data. As at June 2010: 146 official warnings had been issued. We are aiming for this number to decrease over time.
Number of censorship-related prosecutions initiated. Source: Internal Affairs data. As at June 2010: 39 prosecutions had been initiated. We are aiming for this number to decrease over time.
Percentage of people receiving spam/nuisance emails. Source: World Internet Project New Zealand. 2009: 73%. We are aiming for this percentage to decrease over time.
People have the capability-to participate in their communities and across communities People’s participation in their communities  
Percentage of people aged 10 years or over who in the previous three months: Source: Internal Affairs survey.  
  1. volunteered
  2. donated money
  3. donated goods
  1. As at June 2010: 27.8%
  2. As at June 2010: 40.4%
  3. As at June 2010: 19.3%
We are aiming to at least maintain these rates over time.
Number of nominations for Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Local Distribution Committees. Source: Internal Affairs data. As at 31 March 2011: 304 nominations had been received for the 255 available positions on the COGS Local Distribution Committees
Ethnic community groups’ satisfaction in relation to the advice and support received by them to enable them to help themselves and participate in their community. Source: Internal Affairs survey. We expect a ‘satisfactory or better’ rating of at least 95% by 30 June 2012.
People are able to access and use information important to their lives Published heritage collections able to be searched for on the internet  
Percentage of published National Library heritage collections with online records. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 83%.We are aiming for 90% to have online records by 30 June 2013
Archival institutions and collections able to be located by the public  
Number of institutions describing archival holdings online through the Community Archive. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 355 institutions
The proportion of contextual documentation about public archives that meets quality standards. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 50%
New Zealand libraries connected with national and global knowledge network  
The number of full text databases made accessible through New Zealand libraries participating in the Electronic Purchasing in Collaboration (EPIC) consortium. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 25. We are aiming for 40 full text databases by 30 June 2012.
Percentage of New Zealand libraries participating in the Te Puna catalogue and interloan services. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 98%. We are aiming to maintain the proportion of participants at 98%.
Number of New Zealand libraries and the number of marae having Aotearoa People’s Network Kaharoa (APNK) connected (including the number of digitisation suites available via APNK) Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 127 public libraries and 3 marae had APNK, 20 scanners available via APNK. We are aiming to achieve a new sustainable business model and rate of growth by 2013.
Programmes in place to support literacy and the effectiveness of school libraries  
Increase in visits to use specialist online resources and services for schools. Source: Internal Affairs data. July-December 2010: 40,000 visits
Number of earthquake affected school libraries in Canterbury assisted to rebuild their capacity and capability. Source: Internal Affairs data. New indicator: standards to be developed.
New Zealand’s documentary record is protected and available for current and future generations Documentary record storage capacity and quality  
Completion of redevelopment of National Library Wellington building by the end of 2012.  
Percentage of the Alexander Turnbull Library collections in the National Library Wellington building that are held in appropriate environments Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 55%.We are aiming to have 100% of the collections in appropriate environments by the end of 2012.
The proportion of Archives New Zealand holdings that are held in an appropriate environment and conditions. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: not available
Identification of archival value records in public offices  
The number of public offices that are holding archival value records over 25 years of age without a formal agreement with the Chief Archivist is reducing. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: not available
New Zealand’s personal identity information has integrity Privacy breaches  
Number of complaints about the Department on privacy breaches that are received or notified by the Privacy Commission. Source: OPC Annual Report. 2009/10: 2 complaints were received or notified by OPC. We are aiming for zero complaints on privacy breaches on an ongoing basis.
Fraudulent use of identity information  
Percentage incident reports relating to the issuance of passport on fraudulent grounds or fraudulent use of a passport. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 0.012% related incidence reports. We will seek to maintain or reduce this result.

Progress towards objectives

The Department’s main indicators to assess progress towards the lead and supporting objectives are below. The indicators for the lead objectives describe what the Department seeks to achieve at the highest level across government. The indicators for the supporting objectives describe the intended effect of the Department’s services. The results for the indicators, particularly those for the lead objectives, are subject to a wide range of influences and will be carefully analysed to inform decision making and future interventions.

Lead Objectives Indicators Trends
To enhance trust in New Zealand government and confidence in the performance of public sector organisations
  • To enhance the productivity and accountability of public sector organisations
  • To support specialist capability building in other nations
  • To support the system of government to operate efficiently and effectively
Perceived trust in New Zealand’s public services  
New Zealand’s country ranking on the Corruptions Perception Index. Source: Corruption Perceptions Index (Transparency International.) 2009: 1st place; 2010: 1st equal place
Percentage of New Zealanders who, based on their most recent service interaction, agree that ‘overall you can trust them (public servants) to do what is right’, Source: Kiwis Count Survey (State Services Commission.) 2007: 67%; 2009: 70%
Perceived value of public services  
Percentage of New Zealanders that agree their most recent service experience with a State sector agency was an example of good value for tax dollars spent. Source: Kiwis Count Survey (State Services Commission.) 2007: 55%; 2009: 64%
The percentage of New Zealanders that agree their (public sector) service experience met their expectations. Source: Kiwis Count Survey (State Services Commission.) 2007: 66%; 2009: 70%
Supporting Objectives Indicators Performance standards
To increase capability across public sector organisations to carry out their regulatory responsibilities Capability of public sector organisations to carry out their regulatory responsibilities  
Capability development assessment for non-Civil Defence organisations [mechanisms to be developed.] New indicator: standards to be developed.
Average score for capability of Civil Defence Sector organisations to achieve the National CDEM Strategy goals. Source: Internal Affairs survey. 2010 data: not available
To increase the capability of public sector organisations to keep secure and maintain the integrity of public records and personal information they hold Capability of public sector organisations to maintain the integrity of public records they hold  
Capability development assessment [mechanisms to be developed.] New indicator: standards to be developed.
Percentage of core public offices having a formal recordkeeping programme. Source: Internal Affairs data 2010: 59%. We are aiming for 60% of core public offices to have a formal recordkeeping programme by 30 June 2012.
Percentage of core public offices have a disposal authority that covers their core business records. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 46%. We are aiming for 45% of core public offices to have a disposal authority by 30 June 2012.
Percentage core public offices have undertaken a risk assessment against a mandatory standard. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 38%. We are aiming for 50% of core public offices to have undertaken a risk assessment by 30 June 2012.
To increase capability across public sector organisations to work with and respond to the needs of diverse communities Capability of public sector organisations to work with and respond to the needs of diverse communities  
Number of public sector organisations using Language Line. Source: Internal Affairs data. As at June 2010: 73 agencies were using Language Line. We expect this number to rise to 85 agencies by 30 June 2012.
To improve the value of investment by public sector organisations in information and communications technology Uptake of common capabilities across public sector organisations  
Number of new agreements with public sector agencies for service integrations with igovt logon and identity verification services. Source: Internal Affairs data. As at March 2011: 23 service agreements were in place. We are aiming to have between 30–40 service agreements by 30 June 2012.
Number of transactions supported by the igovt Logon Service. Source: Internal Affairs data. 2010: 825,016 transactions occurred. We are aiming to support between 1.5 and 2.0 million more transactions by 30 June 2012.
Number of access agreements in place allowing use of the Data Validation Service. Source: Internal Affairs data. As at March 2011: 400+ agreements were in place. We are aiming to have between 500–1,000 access agreements in place by the 30 June 2012.
Number of services using the Data Validation Service. Source: Internal Affairs data. As at March 2011: 2 services were using the DVS. We are aiming to have between 3–5 services using the DVS by 30 June 2012.
The realisation of planned benefits from ICT investment by public sector organisations  
Benefits realisation assessment (to be developed.) New indicator: standards to be developed.
To optimise the services and systems that support effective Executive Government Support for Executive Government is fit for purpose  
Level of confidence of the Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services that support is fit for purpose. Source: Internal Affairs survey. 2009/10: ‘Very Good’ satisfaction rating from the Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services for support provided by the Department
To enhance the value of information available to support government decision-making Value and availability of information and advice  
The level of confidence that Ministers have in the relevance and reliability of information on which advice is based. Source: Internal Affairs survey. New indicator: standards to be developed.
The frequency with which Ministerial decision making is informed by advice (to be developed). Source: Internal Affairs survey. New indicator: standards to be developed.

Assessing capability

The Department’s main measures to assess its organisational health and capability are below.

These measures enable the Department to determine whether it is able to deliver effective and efficient services, and ultimately contribute to its outcomes and objectives. The following measures will help to inform the Department’s decisions on where organisational capability needs to be improved.

Measure Context
Ratio of employee engagement The Department will undertake a survey of employee engagement and will aim to achieve a score that exceeds the average score of a benchmark group comprising other State sector agencies.6
Percentage of new recruits that would recommend Internal Affairs as a great place to work, three months after commencing employment This measure will enable the Department to assess whether new recruits are engaged and believe that Internal Affairs has a good work environment. The Department will aim to achieve at least 75%.
Percentage of staff turnover   30 June 2008 30 June 2009 30 June 2010
Internal Affairs 21.7% 11.8% 12.3%
Public service 14.6% 10.7% 9.2%
The Department monitors turnover as an indicator of staff engagement and retention of key skills and institutional knowledge. We will aim for turnover to be within 5% of the public service average.
Operating expenditure: Expenditure variance (excluding demand-driven third party expenditure) is: Within +-1.5% of budget
Operating expenditure: Percentage of variation between the estimated actuals published in the Estimates of Appropriation and the actual outturn at 30 June Within +-1.5% of budget
Operating expenditure: Average creditor days outstanding 23 days
Operating expenditure: Average debtors outstanding 10 days

Working Capital:

Liquid ratio
Current ratio

 

0.85:1.00
1.00:1.00

Footnotes

[6] The Department previously used the JRA survey and, in 2009, scored 70.8 on the engagement index. This survey did not take place in 2010.The Department is now using Gallup.

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