Introduction from the Chief Executive
The focus of our five-year strategy set out in this Statement of Intent is delivery of the Treasury's vision to be a world class organisation working towards higher living standards for New Zealanders. Through our Living Standards Framework we recognise that there are a number of factors, both material and non-material, underpinning living standards for every individual.
This Statement of Intent sets out the Treasury's three interconnected and mutually reinforcing outcomes and the actions the Treasury is taking to achieve these:
- Improved Economic Performance
- A Higher Performing State Sector that New Zealanders Trust, Delivering Outstanding Results and Value for Money, and
- A Stable and Sustainable Macroeconomic Environment.
To achieve our vision and outcomes, we need to be a high-performing organisation driven by a strong set of values and culture, with the right capability and capacity now and into the future. We need to remain fit for purpose and adapt our focus as government priorities evolve and change over time. In addition, we need to be able to manage in a rapidly changing world which is characterised by uncertainty, fragility and volatility. But it is also a world which offers opportunities for New Zealand. For us to take advantage of these opportunities and manage in a rapidly changing world, Treasury staff need to be bold in their thinking and behaviour, and innovative in how they work with each other and other agencies. They need to be passionate about making a difference, and ambitious for New Zealanders.
The Treasury is not and cannot be an expert in every field, so we need to focus on where we can add the most value, and collaborate with other agencies and broader stakeholders from all sectors to integrate their expertise with our own strengths when offering advice to Ministers. We need to acknowledge and encourage others to step up to the task where our expertise is limited, while continuing to provide challenge to ensure the advice given is robust.
New Zealand's State sector accounts for about a third of all economic activity and improved State sector performance is an essential part of achieving higher living standards. We're working with the State Services Commission (SSC) and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) to provide corporate centre leadership to drive reform in the State sector as it responds to higher expectations from both the Government and public while working within the realities of fiscal constraints.
A broad view and an enquiring mind are essential for us to be a world class Treasury. The environment in which we work has rarely been more challenging, and we need to adjust to the reality that the “rules of the game” are different from what we may have become used to. Rapid changes in economic power underway now will mean that the structure of the global economy is likely to be very different in 10 years' time. The Treasury needs to be challenging its historical assumptions and frameworks and coming up with fresh ideas on how we think about and achieve higher living standards.
Improving our performance as an agency relies on the efforts of each individual staff member. I have no doubt that the Treasury staff will rise to the challenge. We will play a key role in helping the Government to capitalise on opportunities while managing risks and meeting challenges. I'm confident the Treasury will help the Government and government agencies in their own work to improve living standards for New Zealanders.
Chief Executive's Statement of Responsibility
In signing this statement, I acknowledge that I am responsible for the information contained in the Statement of Intent for the Treasury. This information has been prepared in accordance with the Public Finance Act 1989. It is also consistent with the proposed appropriations set out in the Appropriation (2013/14 Estimates) Bill, as presented to the House of Representatives in accordance with section 13 of the Public Finance Act 1989, and with existing appropriations and financial authorities.
Gabriel Makhlouf
Chief Executive
Counter-signed: Fergus Welsh
Chief Financial Officer
