KPMG Awards Recognise Innovation In Public Admin.

Twelve finalists from many different parts of New Zealand have been selected for the inaugural Innovation Awards for Public Administration.

The Innovation Awards are an initiative developed by KPMG and its partner the New Zealand Institute of Public Administration to foster and recognise innovation in public administration.

The twelve finalists were selected from a total of thirty five entries from all parts of the country. "We had entries from Balclutha, Greymouth, Otorohanga, as well as Auckland, the Waikato, Tauranga and of course Wellington.

" There's been a very positive response given this is the first time the awards have been held, and there has been a lot of interest," says Rebecca Boyack, KMPG Partner, Government advisory services. "Seven of the twelve finalists - over half the total - are from entities not associated with central government or Wellington."

Entries are judged on four criteria - innovation; effectiveness; the significance of benefits, and the ease with which the systems and processes can be transferred to other bodies.

Projects could be submitted in one of three categories: central government; local government; and crown entities. There will be one award made in each category and there will be a supreme award made to the entry which best demonstrates the qualities being sought.

The independent panel of judges:

* Rob Laking - Director of the Master of Public Management course at Victoria University of Wellington – convenor

* Dr Andy West - Chief Executive of the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences

* Carol Stigley - Chief Executive of Local Government New Zealand

* Dr Bill Robertson - former Director General of the Department of Survey and Land Information have selected the finalists from which the category winners and the winner of the supreme award will be chosen.

An awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday 25 August at the Park Royal hotel in Wellington at which the Acting Minister of State Services, Hon Maurice Williamson, will present the awards.

ENDS....

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