Economic transformation

Our key role in transforming the economy is directed at leading the work focused on delivering innovative and productive workplaces that are underpinned by high standards in education, skills and research. This work around high-performing workplaces and skill shortages is capable of generating the transformative changes needed for higher productivity, skills and innovation in the economy. Further support for this work is being provided through an increased focus on immigration to help meet labour demands and provide a source for skilled workers. The Immigration Change Programme and its component parts (including the Immigration Business Transformation project) are one of the Department's major drivers contributing to this economic transformation goal.

We are also working to advance this in partnership with businesses and unions, as well as other local and regional government agencies.

Our work on skills, productivity and participation also links into other initiatives in priority areas of the Government's economic transformation agenda: building globally-competitive businesses; improving our infrastructure to ensure a world-class economic performance (with a particular focus on Auckland City); and maintaining the integrity of our environment.

National identity

The role of national identity is important for all New Zealanders. The Department supports the Government's national identity priority by advising on immigration policy and managing the immigration programme, which includes settling refugees and migrants. Doing this effectively leads to improved global connections, building the population base as well as the labour force, adding to the richness of New Zealand society, and managing risks to the country's security.

Families - young and old

The Department's work programme for enhancing parents' and other carers' choices about work and family arrangements, assisting youth into employment, enhancing employment for groups under-represented in the labour force, and the work we undertake jointly with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), contribute significantly to the Government's priority of ensuring that all families, young and old, have the support and choices they need to be secure and to be able to reach their full potential.

Implementing and further developing the New Zealand Settlement Strategy across government contributes to positive outcomes for migrants, refugees and their families. In particular, the work we do during the initial settlement phase helps provide the foundations necessary for migrant and refugee families to participate in the paid workforce, communicate well and access the information they need to lead healthy, successful lives in their new country.

Sustainability

In July 2005, the Department committed to the Government's sustainability programme, Govt³, and developed a Sustainable Practice Action Plan in February 2006. A comprehensive sustainability pilot was then undertaken on one floor in our National Office in Wellington. A report on this pilot showed the Department achieved considerable improvements. This report was submitted to the Govt³ Awards and received a 'Highly Commendable' award from the Minister for the Environment in October 2006.

Waste streaming arrangements are now well established on two floors of the National Office and are progressively being extended to the other floors. A sustainability forum of interested staff across the Department has been established, and support services focus on sustainability issues, particularly regarding waste, office equipment, vehicles and energy.

A range of sustainability measures have been implemented during 2006/07, including:

• a national contract for the provision of multi-functional devices across the Department - this contract will replace large numbers of printers, photocopiers, faxes and scanners with one device, and it will reduce energy consumption and paper use
• a national sustainability and energy management contract that will improve energy efficiencies
• a sustainability audit of the Department's vehicle fleet, which found that our practice is good and made suggestions for further improvements
• incorporation of sustainability clauses into the Department's contracting templates.

Development Goals for the State Services

The Department leads or contributes to a significant amount of policy advice that directly relates to the transformation of the State sector, and to the workforce and workplaces of New Zealand. As part of its work, the Department provides valuable services to integrate and model these practices internally.

The Development Goals for the State Services are:

• Employer of Choice
• Excellent State Servants
• Networked State Services
• Accessible State Services
• Coordinated State Agencies
• Trusted State Services.

The Department is contributing to these goals through a range of initiatives. An example is given in the case study below.