how central government works
DESCRIPTION
A few slides to act as triggers for classroom conversation about the structure and roles of central government in New Zealand. Feedback welcome. You might prefer this video published in 2015 by parliament.nz: http://youtu.be/IiXib-LR6ZM.TRANSCRIPT
A (very) brief overview of Central Government
in New Zealand
Julie Starr | juliestarr.co.nz
government noun
1 (often the Government) a body of people, usually elected, with the power to control the affairs of a country or state.
2 a the way in which this is done; b the particular system used.
3 the act or practice of ruling; control.
- Chambers 21st Century Dictionary
1. Central Government2. Parliament3. The Executive4. Policy
1. Central Government
Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)
1. Legislature(Parliament)
House of Representatives
3. Judiciary2. ExecutiveMinisters &
State ServicesJudges &
Courts
1. Central Government: Structure
Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)
1. Legislature(Parliament)
House of Representatives
Create, modify, delete laws
1. Central Government: Responsibilities
Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)
2. ExecutiveGovernment ministers &
State Services
Draft laws, research, propose & implement policy
1. Central Government: Responsibilities
Sovereign(Represented by Governor General)
3. JudiciaryJudges &
Courts
Interpret and apply laws
1. Central Government: Responsibilities
2. Parliament
House of Representatives (Government + Opposition Members of Parliament)
Sovereign
(Represented by Governor
General)
+
The Debating Chamber
2. Parliament: Structure
Make, modify & unmake law
Provide a Government
Forum for political contests
Represent citizens
Hold Government to account
Approve Government taxes and spending
2. Parliament: Main Roles
Electorate Offices (Electorate MPs only)
Select Committees (Small committees that consider proposed laws)
Debating Chamber (Where proposed laws & other matters are debated)
Executive Council (Government ministers, senior policy advisers)
Cabinet (Senior Government ministers)
2. Parliament: Members of Parliament work in…
3. The Executive
GovernmentMinisters
State Services including:
State Services Commission
Crown EntitiesReserve Bank of New Zealand
Public Service DepartmentsNon-Public Service Departments
+
3. The Executive: Structure
Directs State Services on policy implementation
Acts to amend, add or delete laws accordingly
Determines policy (takes advice from State Services)
Decides what to spend in which policy areas
Government Roles State Services Roles
(Overseen by State Services Commission)
Implement policy through agencies
Research policy
Give policy advice to Government
3. The Executive: Roles
4. Policy
Policies address the supply and regulation of the requirements of life
Healthcare Schools Houses RetirementJobs & Economy
Cemeteries
Birth Childhood Families AgeingWorkforce Death
What is required?
How much/many required?
What is best way to provide structure, services and safeguards?
Should government provide it?
When is it needed by?
How much will it cost?
With limited funds available, what will be prioritised?
“Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists of choosing between the disastrous
and the unpalatable.”
JK Galbraith 1908-2006
Economic adviser to President John Kennedy
What to read next:Parliament.nz/How Parliament Works
Nation & Government: Te Ara NZ (Encyclopedia)Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet
Who makes and applies the law: Ministry of JusticeCourts of NZ
Legislation.govt.nzNZ: Our Constitution
About the State Services CommissionList of State Sector Organisations
Julie Starr | juliestarr.co.nz