E-Government Strategy Released

State Services Minister Annette King has launched the 2006 E-Government Strategy saying e-government is not just about technology, but about putting people first. "It is about making government work for New Zealanders," she says.

The first E-government Strategy was released in April 2001. The latest version is the fourth version of the Strategy, and is called Enabling Transformation.

"The key to the success of any strategy is its ability to adapt and respond," says Ms King. "Enabling Transformation builds on previous strategies in the way they addressed the need for convenient and responsive government information and services, and it establishes a greater emphasis on making participation possible.

"This strategy reflects the fact that e-government gives people more choices, makes them more productive and allows them to interact with government in a way that is convenient for them and respects their privacy."

Ms King says the 2006 Strategy introduces a goal that by 2020 people's engagement with the government will have been transformed, as increasing and innovative use is made of the opportunities offered by network technologies.

"E-government is critical to the public management system of New Zealand. In enabling the transformation of government for New Zealanders, it is vital to the social and economic well being of our country.

"The overall development goal for the State Services is 'a system of world class professional State Services serving the government of the day and meeting the needs of New Zealanders'. I encourage all New Zealand's State Services agencies to use this Strategy as their road map for e-government initiatives." Annette King said.

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