Te Hāpai Hapori Spirit of Service

A Spirit of Service is identified by the Public Service Act 2020 as the fundamental characteristic of the Public Service. The Act requires Public Service leaders and boards of Crown agents to preserve, protect and nurture the Spirit of Service to the community that all public servants bring to their work.

A Spirit of Service has 3 important attributes:

• opening our hearts and minds to the needs of others
• an attitude of humility
• being motivated by something bigger than ourselves.

The date of assent for New Zealand’s first Public Service Act (1912) was 7 November 1912. Since 2018, New Zealand Public Service Day has been celebrated each year on or around this date.

Public Service Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to serve the public, what makes being a public servant so rewarding, and to celebrate being part of the Public Service.

Agencies are welcome to use the resources we have developed, to acknowledge and celebrate the work of public servants. The following resources can be downloaded: 

• Background image to use for Teams meetings (PNG, 443 KB)
• Public Service Day icon for use in email signatures (PNG, 40 KB)
• Public Service Day poster for printing and to help raise awareness throughout agencies    (PDF, 3.4 MB)

In 2018, New Zealand public service chief executives established the Awards and Recognition programme to promote a sense of pride and belonging across the Public Service. The programme recognises public servants and initiatives that exemplify the spirit of service and demonstrate an outstanding commitment to New Zealand.

• Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards are open to organisations across central and local government, including Crown entities. They celebrate outstanding public sector governance, young leaders and initiatives that deliver great outcomes motivated by a spirit of service to the community. There are five award categories organisations may enter. Finalists present to a judging panel, and Award winners are announced at an Awards event.
• Te Rā Ratonga Tūmatanui | Public Service Day Awards recognise public servants who exemplify the spirit of service and are making a real difference through their everyday work for New Zealand or New Zealanders.
• Te Tohu Manawaroa a Te Kawa Mataaho | The Public Service Commissioner’s Commendation for Service celebrates public servants who have served 30, 40 or 50 years in the New Zealand Public Service.

The Spirit of Service team is available to assist with any queries you have regarding Public Service awards and recognition. We engage with key contacts at each government agency throughout the year about the awards programme. Please contact us if you have any questions.