Media release
Friday 29 May

Private sector partnership wins award for Ministry

The Ministry of Economic Development was the Vero Supreme Award Winner and won two categories at Vero Excellence in Business Awards last night.

The Insolvency and Trustee Service won the supreme award and Public and Private Partnership category, and the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand won the Business Support category. Both are business units of the Ministry of Economic Development.

“The Ministry is sharply focussed on reducing costs for business and finding innovative ways to add value to their work,” says Ministry of Economic Development Chief Executive David Smol.

“Businesses want smart government services and these awards tell us we’re delivering what they need.”

Public Private Partnership

To win the Vero Supreme Award and Public and Private Partnership Category, the Ministry worked with Creditworks Consultants, VEDA, D&B, Financial Services Federation, and NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services to create an online service that works for people on both sides of the insolvency equation.

“We had a vision of making life easier for our clients, and a genuine partnership with the private sector made that vision a reality,” says David Smol.

The Ministry then worked closely with software developers Foster Moore IT to design and develop the new system.

The old insolvency system meant filling in forms and phoning in to check on the progress of a case, but all aspects of insolvency can now be handled online. Creditors can check progress at any time, and opt to receive updates when important developments occur.

Business Support

The award for Business Support recognises the work of the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) in helping Kiwi businesses protect their bright ideas.

“We found many entrepreneurs and businesses didn’t understand the need to protect their intellectual property,” says David Smol.

“Through educational partnerships IPONZ has increased awareness and its website provides 24 hour access to search the registers and apply for patents and trademarks.”

Background

The Insolvency and Trustee Service is a business unit of the Ministry of Economic Development www.its.govt.nz

Statistics on personal and corporate insolvencies in NZ is available from this web site at www.insolvency.govt.nz/cms/site-tools/about-us/statistics.

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand is a business unit of the Ministry of Economic Development www.iponz.co.nz

ENDS

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