The Auditor-General’s report Using Gateway reviews to support public sector projects was presented to the House of Representatives today.

Gateway reviews are a peer review process designed to provide independent and timely advice to the people responsible for major projects and programmes. There are 25-30 reviews carried out each year in the New Zealand public sector with a total annual cost of about $2 million. Since their introduction in 2008, there have been over 180 reviews of more than 80 projects and programmes.

In our view, Gateway reviews have delivered benefits to individual projects and programmes. Project sponsors have reported that they find Gateway reviews beneficial.

All projects and programmes considered to be high-risk are required to have Gateway reviews. The Treasury has effective processes to make sure that these high-risk projects and programmes have Gateway reviews at the right time. Gateway reviews can have a wider impact than just the projects and programmes that are reviewed, by sharing lessons with other projects and programmes. Some lessons are already shared, but this could be done more effectively.

Gateway reviews do have limitations. They are a “one size fits all” approach and are unlikely to be the best way of helping all projects and programmes at all times. The Treasury is aware of the limitations of Gateway reviews and is planning to introduce new types of investment reviews to run as well as, or instead of, Gateway reviews.

A two-page summary of this report is also available.

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