The Public Service central agencies oversee the structure of government and how it works, acting as stewards of the machinery of government.

Tā te pokapū mahi What the central agencies do

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Public Service Commission, the Treasury, the Ministry for Regulation and the Social Investment Agency are the 5 central agencies responsible for coordinating and managing Public Service performance:

  • The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is responsible for providing advice and support to the Prime Minister, the Governor-General and Cabinet and supporting the responsibilities of its other portfolio ministers, as well as hosting the National Emergency Management Agency.
  • The Public Service Commission coordinates the Public Service as a whole and provides guidance to all the individual agencies and their chief executives.
  • The Treasury provides strategic policy advice on the New Zealand economy and produces a range of publications and economic data, as well as monitoring and managing the financial affairs of the Government and overseeing the Budget.
  • The Ministry for Regulation aims to strengthen the regulatory management system to improve regulatory quality. Its purpose is to lift quality across all regulatory systems and ensure agencies with regulatory responsibilities follow best practice. 
  • The Social Investment Agency leads the social investment approach to improve people’s lives and to support the Government to achieve better outcomes from social service expenditure. 

In addition to the central agencies, Parliamentary Counsel Office, Crown Law Office, Te Arawhiti, Stats NZ and the Department of Internal Affairs work across the Public Service to provide information and support. The Parliamentary Counsel Office drafts legislation that’s accessible and fit for purpose, while the Crown Law Office is the government’s legal counsel and representative. 

The central agencies work together to deliver results for ministers and everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ngā kaimahi o ngā pokapū Who works in the central agencies

The central agencies employ a variety of people, including:

  • lawyers and legal experts 
  • statisticians, accountants and researchers
  • policy advisors and analysts
  • project coordinators, human resources specialists and administrators.

Ngā painga o ngā pokapū mō Aotearoa How the central agencies benefit New Zealand

Working together, the sector ensures the machinery of government operates smoothly. Everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand benefits from this work as it has a direct impact on the wellbeing of our communities and families.

Engaging with Māori, and making sure their voices are heard, means more people are involved in the decisions that affect them. In addition, the data collected by sector organisations is used to draft legislation and policies that affect our lives.

Ngā Pokapū Central agencies

These are the main Public Service central agencies.

  • Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

    The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) provides impartial advice and support services to the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and the Governor-General. It ensures ministers and Cabinet are supported by timely, well-informed advice. Its work helps the Public Service be more proactive and responsive to the people of New Zealand.  

    Sectors 

    Central agencies

    Emergency 

    National security

    Social

    Leader  

    Ben King, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups 

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Development Boards

    Website 

    dpmc.govt.nz

  • Te Manatū Waeture | Ministry for Regulation

    The Ministry for Regulation aims to strengthen the regulatory management system to improve regulatory quality. Its purpose is to lift quality across all regulatory systems and ensure agencies with regulatory responsibilities follow best practice.

    Sectors

    Central agencies

    Leader

    Gráinne Moss, Secretary for Regulation and Chief Executive

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    Regulation.govt.nz

  • Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission

    The Public Service Commission provides leadership and oversight of the Public Service, ensuring that it works as one system to deliver better services and better outcomes for the public. It is responsible for appointing Public Service chief executives, issuing a code of conduct for public servants and supporting the performance of the Public Service.

    Sectors

    Central agencies

    Leader

    Sir Brian Roche KNZM, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commissioner, Head of Service

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Māori Crown Relations

    Development Board (Chair)

    Website

    publicservice.govt.nz

  • Toi Hau Tāngata | Social Investment Agency

    The Social Investment Agency leads the social investment approach to improve people’s lives and to support the Government to achieve better outcomes from social service expenditure. Social investment involves understanding people’s needs, setting clear goals about what works, improving services and enabling local providers to tailor services to the needs of communities. The Agency also supports cross-social sector work to provide actionable insights to decision-makers.

    Sectors

    Central agencies

    Social

    Leader

    Andy Coster, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Toi Hau Tāngata | Acting Secretary for Social Investment and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Website

    SIA.govt.nz

  • Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury

    Te Tai Ōhanga – The Treasury is the lead economic and financial adviser to the Government and steward of the public sector financial management and regulatory systems. The Treasury’s vision is to lift living standards for all New Zealanders. It provides advice to the Government on its overarching economic framework and fiscal strategy and how to achieve value for money from its investments. It is also responsible for publishing financial statements and economic and fiscal forecasts and ensuring effective management of the Crown’s assets and liabilities.

    Sectors

    Central agencies

    Leader

    Iain Rennie, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tai Ōhanga | Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    treasury.govt.nz