Purpose and principles

Our purpose captures why we exist as a Department

Internal Affairs serves and connects people, communities and government to build a safe, prosperous and respected nation.

Ko tā te Tari Taiwhenua he whakarato me te hono i ngā iwi, ngā hapori me te kāwanatanga ki te hanga motu haumaru, tōnui, whai mana hoki.

Everything we do is underpinned by three principles

We make it easy, we make it work

• We are customer-centred
• We make things even better

We're stronger together

• We work as a team
• We value each other

We take pride in what we do

• We make a positive difference
• We strive for excellence

Our people are passionate about the work they do and the difference we make

We have captured in a few words why people throughout the Department come to work:

To help make New Zealand better for New Zealanders.

Te Aka Taiwhenua

Our Māori Strategic Framework, Te Aka Taiwhenua, enables us to work effectively with Māori.