SSC Report: Open Government Partnership 

 
  

 

 

Proposal: To advise you about planned approach to managing the Government's
commitments to the Open Government Partnership (OGP). -

Why: Understanding your intentions for this work and areas within it will help SSC to proceed.

Background on Open Government Partnership

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The OGP is an international forum of countries that have committed themselves to work
towards greater openness, accountability and responsiveness to citizens. The OGP is-
not about openness for its oWn sake, but improving the quality of public services by
increased citizen engagement. Background information on the OGP is included in an I
updated version of the A3 note provided to you last October (Appendix A).

Membership of the OGP places a number of requirements and expectations on
countries. The key requirement is the development of a National Action Plan every two

. years, with associated: public participation in its development; implementation of the

Action Plan; annual self-reporting on progress; and an annual independent review.

The other key expectations of the OGP are attendance (preferably by Head of State, or
alternatively a senior Minister) at international conferences, and members contributing to
the advancement of open government in other countries, through'knowledge sharing.

Cabinet agreed New Zealand?s first Action Plan in July 2014 Min (14) 23/3 refers].
It was published on 31 October 2014, along with the Cabinet paper (see Appendices 
and C). Cabinet also agreed to the establishment of a stakeholder advisory group (SAG)
to oversee development, implementation and evaluation of the Action Plan, and to assist
with public engagement.

The commitments detailed in the New Zealand Action Plan are existing programmes-of
work. They combine work to build on New Zealand?s existing (accountability
for BPS Results; open data) and challenges to improve (responding to the National
Integrity System report 2013; review of the Kia T?tahi Relationship Accord between
Government and communities). .

The New Zealand Action Plan commitments align with the OGP ?grand challenges? of
improving public services, more effectively managing public resources, and increasing
public integrity, as well as with OGP principles (page 5 of the Action Plan).

Budget for current and proposed work

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Current budget allocation equates to $448,000 per annum, comprising: the $240,000
membership fee (via to a fiscally neutral transfer from Vote Foreign Affairs); and
$208,000 for SSC policy advice and administration, SSC travel costs including support
fOr the Minister at international events, and establishment and operation of the SAG,
including fees, travel and meeting costs.

Expected benefits: areas of focus

International leadership and learning

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Participating in the OGP creates an opportunity for New Zealand to contribute to lifting
international good governance practice, and enhance its reputation by demonstrating
leadership. We could also learn from other countries to make practical improvements
on citizen-centric services.

Current activity contributing to international leadership and learning is the Ministerial
attendance at the alternating global and regional OGP summits, and potentially SSC 
playing a liaison role between the OGP support unit and the New Zealand Public sector,
e.g. facilitating Treasury officials to join the Fiscal Openness working group.

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Improving citizen and civil society engagement with government

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Participating in the OGP provides opportunities to co?ordinate work across the Public
sector to engage the public and stakeholders in policy development and service design.

Current and planned activity involves management of public and stakeholder
involvement in the development, implementation and evaluation of action plans
(including required public consultation); meeting international reporting obligations to the
domestic stakeholder management including the secretariat of the 
managing an online engagement channel; and modest additional public engagement
activities responding to speaking invitations).

Risks

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13'

14

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The risks are mostly reputational. Our OGP actions could be perceived as not reflecting
our high reputation in this area. For example, action plans consisting of commitments
that are existing programmes of work risk criticism for lacking ambition, and limited
engagement with the public and stakeholders in their development, implementation and
evaluation will lead to OGP and domestic criticism. As an existing high performing
country, demonstrating stretch in action plans will always challenge New Zealand. Our
view is that these risks will be managed by the proposed programme.

New Zealand will pay its membership fee irrespective bf whether any additional choices
aremade to invest in OGP. related activities. Our view is that our programmed activities
are the most appropriate mix to ensure a return on investment.

To gain more value in this area, and mitigate risks further, there are a range of activities
with which New Zealand could increase its return from the OGP, including:

14.1 responding positively to invitations to share knowledge with other members or
joining one or more of the working groups -

14.2 securing election of a Minister to the Steering Committee which governs the OGP,
or even hosting a regional or global OGP summit

14.3 increasing the scope of the public engagement activities currently contemplated

14.4 designing the SAG to include greater diversity of experience and expertise and
greater geographical spread, and

14.5 designing future Action Plan commitments specifically to deliver outcomes that
improve engagement.

However, there are additional costs associated with these activities which we have not
currently included in_ our 4 year budget planning.

Timing: Officials will meet with you on Tuesday, 17 February to discuss these issues.

Upcoming briefings: Following this initial discussion with you, we will soon brief you in
more detail on the calendar of OGP events and external deadlines, endorsement of the Open
Government Declaration, and providing peer support to other OGP member countries.

 

Comments:

Agreed I Not agreed

Minister?s signature:
Date:

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