Since 2000, I have been testing a hypothesis that our traditional, Westminster-derived model on which our polity is based is under strain. My instincts are that we are beyond Westminster. To evaluate that hypothesis, I use Rod Rhodes’ framework (2005), which emphasises the five key elements of parliamentary sovereignty, strong cabinet government, ministerial responsibility, party…

In the ever-evolving landscape of public governance, a new approach is catching attention across the seas in the United Kingdom. Called mission-led governance, it promises a fresh perspective on how institutions and organizations might better serve society. The core idea is compelling: what if our public institutions could genuinely prioritize social and environmental purposes alongside—or…

When we examine Aotearoa New Zealand, through the lens of its institutions, we see a remarkable pattern of action and response between the Crown and Māori that continues to shape our nation. This narrative begins in 1840, but its echoes resonate powerfully in today’s political landscape. In the initial Te Tiriti period (1840-1860), the Crown…

I’m not posting that much at the moment. I am writing. But this hypothesis above has my attention. Let me examine the crucial dynamic between political and administrative spheres in public sector reform. The Better Public Services program offers an instructive example of how the political-administrative interface should work. Its success wasn’t just about managerial…

I’m not posting much. I am writing. But the graphic below has my attention. Let me share some thoughts I’ve been developing, building on Heather Came’s recent work (2024) above. I’m mainly focused on how this applies to public management education and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Three critical issues keep surfacing in my analysis….

Looking at Te Tiriti through a political science lens offers us something valuable beyond the usual historical and legal interpretations. Let me be direct about what this means for our public management system. Te Tiriti isn’t just a historical document or legal framework – it’s a living diplomatic relationship between two sovereign nations. This isn’t…

I’m excited to hear about the new standalone Social Investment Agency. One aspect I particularly like is its focus on emergent practice. This focus extends the original idea and clarifies whatever the Social Wellbeing Agency has been doing. Emergent practice is important for four reasons. First, I know that some of you think that the…

There has been much debate and discussion lately about lobbyists’ roles, with some calling for more regulation and oversight. As an observer of policy-making processes, I recently had the opportunity to provide feedback to Health Coalition Aotearoa and Transparency International on their proposals for regulating lobbyists. Specifically, their call for greater transparency and conflict of…

The whakataukī above is used in many different ways. I’ve heard it used to explain why tamariki and rangatahi break kawa. I’ve also heard it used to explain “tamariki being tamariki” and “boys being boys”. I’ve also seen it used as a regulatory tool, specifically to remind whānau applying for driver licenses of the importance…

If you have been in a lecture or tutorial with me, you will know I have been asking questions about the role, purpose, and design of the three central agencies for many years*. I think it’s time for a merger. The shared role of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), the Public Services…

Yesterday, I decided to take the advice of my whanaunga – The Most Reverend Don Tamihere – and listen to the speeches at Ratana through sympathetic, charitable and compassionate ears. And, I am glad I did. Not just because I truly believe mahia i runga i te rangimārie me te ngākau māhaki, but because what…

For the last quarter-century, I’ve examined the hypothesis that Aotearoa-New Zealand’s Westminster-derived governance model is under increasing strain. The traditional pressure points remain relevant: the shift to mixed-member-proportional representation, evolving foreign policy alliances affecting parliamentary sovereignty, expanded use of associate ministers and undersecretaries, coalition dynamics challenging cabinet solidarity, inadequate regulatory oversight, and the growing influence…

One way to see proposals to change the design of the public sector is through a lens that presents the state as fragmented whenua on which political struggles play out. In the same way, whenua reflects the battle between settler and hapū interests, agendas, claims and rights, so it is for the state. Through that…

This election, I’m looking for a politician who understands that the sun is setting on New Zealand and the dawn of the new day that is Aotearoa. That is not as radical as it sounds. It is simply a maturing and growing up of our nation. But we need a politician or group of politicians…

Apropos of nothing – let me unpack this critical issue of ministerial-executive relationships and institutional performance through a public policy lens. The gap in our system isn’t just about policy or delivery – it’s about the fundamental preparation of ministers for what is essentially a governance role over complex public institutions. We’ve created sophisticated frameworks…

Speaking as a public policy expert, here’s my analysis of the current political landscape. I have offered this advice to several clients. They are happy for me to offer it here – to you. The recent political rhetoric around cutting public services deserves careful examination. Not because of the predictable election-time theatrics but because it…

As a political scientist and policy consultant observing Aotearoa New Zealand’s evolving landscape, I want to expand on this crucial concept of the interregnum we are in. Gramsci’s observation about the space between what’s dying and what’s struggling to be born perfectly captures our current national moment. This isn’t just about political transition but fundamentally…

Each year as we move towards Matariki, I gather the seeds of knowledge I have found most useful in the year just gone, and I offer it to others. In 2021 I offered knowledge on good public sector governance, with a focus on collaboration and anticipatory governance. Last year my list focussed on decolonising anglo…

Public institutions tend to reflect the society in which they are embedded. So it is for Aotearoa. Like it or not, in Aotearoa, our shared institutions reflect and will increasingly reflect Te Tiriti. Te Tiriti states the conditions under which Iwi, Hapū, Whānau, Whanui, Māori and the Crown agreed to cooperate in the development of…

I have been watching the co-governance and free speech debate. There seems to be an undercurrent that the state should focus on “equality” and not “equity”, and all public services – delivered by the state or by a third party – should be at the same or similar quality standard for every “New Zealander”. That…

Mātai Tōrangapū, Hononga Tāwāhi | School of Political Science and International Relations asked me to lecture on the evolution of Aotearoa’s public management model. Here’s the latest update. Feel free to download and make it your own.

As we enter the third year of examining our governance model’s evolution, the central hypothesis remains: Aotearoa-New Zealand’s Westminster-derived system continues to show significant signs of strain. While most indicators remain consistent with last year’s assessment, two notable shifts warrant attention. First, there’s a marked decline in the Cabinet’s narrative capability. Despite considerable activity and…

Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll, Sarah Lovell, Lindsey Te Ata o Tu MacDonald, Kaaren Mathias and I offer some thoughts on the health reforms. Lancet Regional Health published them in August of this year. We write about how significant the changes are and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the basis of the reforms. We think…

This Matariki I am sharing my favourite readings on decolonising the state and indigenous public management. This year the Poneketanga has been all about those for and against the bi-cultural state, while those involved in building and running indigenous public institutions have just been getting on with the mahi. It’s been a year of wahahukatanga…

Unlike the original Westminister tradition, the Chinese Imperial Civil Service had a set of dress codes for officials: a way, so to speak, to distinguish the different classes and ranks within each class. Each rank had its own belts, hats and trim. The top rank had two stately cranes soaring above clouds, and the lowest…

A year ago, I posited that Aotearoa-New Zealand’s Westminster-derived governance model showed signs of systemic strain. The identified pressure points were numerous and significant: the transition to mixed-member-proportional representation, the expanded use of associate ministers and parliamentary undersecretaries, the integration of non-government ministers into the Cabinet, the frequent threats to cabinet solidarity by coalition partners,…

Each Matariki I share my favourite readings on a particular topic or research area in public management. This year the Poneketanga korero has been all about co-governance. Here are some critical readings on governance; its philosophy and anglo-origins, some definitions, the concept of networked and collaborative governance and how governance interacts with public policy. Philosophy…

I wrote in support of the Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies Bill.

Aotearoa-New Zealand’s political and administrative landscape is undergoing a profound transformation that challenges its Westminster foundations. Multiple forces are driving this evolution: the complex dynamics of a post-colonial state, a hollowed-out public service increasingly reliant on non-state actors for delivery, and political parties struggling to attract high-calibre talent for senior positions. The strain on our…

Last week, the Public Services Association published a paper by me and my friend Dr Amohia Boulton. We were part of the PSA’s 2020 Progressive Thinking Seminars. In our paper, Amohia and I talk about how COVID-19 has reminded us of how underprepared the world is to detect and respond to emerging infectious diseases while…

Amohia Boulton and I wrote about how COVID-19 exposed how underprepared Aotearoa – and the world – was in detecting and responding to emerging infectious diseases while simultaneously revealing how well-placed and effective institutions in Te Ao Māori are in being able to react decisively and positively on behalf of Iwi, Hapū, Whānau and Māori.

IPANZ asked me to write an article for Public Sector asking whether the new public service legislation will truly allow the exercise of rangatiratanga. My answer: probably not.

Today, you have 104 days or 2,496 hours before the pre-election period starts. And while it is critically important for the public service to remain politically neutral, it is crucial to start thinking about how to best support a new Government*. It is an exciting time and an extraordinary privilege to help a new Government…

I am often asked why I study public management. Most of the questions come from pakeha officials who don’t think public administration can be understood as an unreformed colonial construct, but also by global north academics who believe in the objective and agnostic role of the state. To them, I say: “Know the enemy and…