Internal Affairs to lead ICT for government

7 October 2010

Today Internal Affairs Minister the Hon Nathan Guy announced that the Government has adopted a set of directions and priorities for information and communication technology (ICT) management and investment across the State Services. The Directions and Priorities for Government ICT replaces the 2006 eGovernment Strategy.

Mr Guy also confirmed that the functions of the Government Chief Information Officer would transfer to the Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs.

“The functions of the Government Chief Information Officer will bring together the strategic leadership of ICT with the Department’s current role of operational leadership for all-of-government ICT,” said Brendan Boyle, Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs. “Planning for the transition of the functions of the Government Chief Information Officer from the State Services Commission to the Department is under way now.”

“The Directions and Priorities for Government ICT are central to the delivery of lower cost higher quality public services and I will work in collaboration with agencies to develop the approach we will take to achieve these directions,” said Brendan Boyle. “Service improvement and common capability are my priorities for the Government’s leadership on ICT.”

“I am looking forward to working in partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs,” said Colin MacDonald, Chief Executive of Land Information New Zealand and Member of the ICT Strategy Group. “This is a positive development for ICT across government that will lead to closer collaboration and real change.”

The Directions and Priorities for Government ICT seek to align and coordinate government agencies in planning, development, procurement and delivery of ICT services to achieve a higher quality of experience for New Zealanders and reduced costs through economies of scale and reuse.

David Smol, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Economic Development and Chair of the ICT Strategy Group said he supports the Directions and Priorities for Government ICT. “I welcome the clarity that this policy provides the ICT industry and others about the Government’s future ICT investment priorities.”

For more information see: Directions and priorities for government ICT

Media Contact

Amanda Duncan
The Department of Internal Affairs
Telephone: 04 463 1356
email: amanda.duncan@dia.govt.nz