03 March 2025

Are you working in a Public Service department or departmental agency? Whether your role is customs officer or prison officer, policy analyst or data analyst, statistician or librarian, social worker or contact centre worker, or one of the many other Public Service roles, we want to hear your ideas for improving how we work.

We want to improve how the Public Service operates and we think public servants should have a voice in that. 

So between 3-21 March, everyone who works in a department or departmental agency will be invited to participate in Te Taunaki Public Service Census where you can share your ideas with us.

Sir Brian Roche, Public Service Commissioner, says the Census is your opportunity to tell us how we can improve the Public Service.

“I know public servants come to work every day and make a difference to people's lives. But we can always do better. It’s important that we hear directly from public servants so we can improve how our organisations perform for the citizens we serve. The Census is your opportunity to do this, so I encourage everyone to participate.”

The Census is different to other staff surveys because we’re asking the same questions to all staff in all departments and departmental agencies. By asking the same questions we can understand how agencies perform compared to the rest of the Public Service. Where something is working well, we can leverage that in other agencies. 

Josh Masson, our Chief Data Officer who leads the Public Service Census team, says the survey not only provides data but also important context and intelligence from public servants.

“We collect data from across the Public Service to provide the evidence and insights needed to drive performance and support decision-making. The Census is a critical tool that provides data as well as context and intelligence directly from public servants. We provide agencies with their own reports so they can understand and improve how they operate. And we are very open and transparent about the results meaning public servants and the public can see how the Public Service is performing.”

The Census is expected to take most people about 20 minutes. You may answer the questions on multiple visits or different devices if needed, and you can be completely honest because you won’t be identified in any reporting from the survey.

For more information about the Public Service Census, visit:

Te Taunaki Public Service Census