The New Zealand Government is currently working on projects to develop what it refers to as a “digital e-procurement ecosystem” to help government agencies and businesses. A new conflict of interest management tool, which was recently released from beta, will allow agencies and schools to communicate, manage, and digitally record procurement project conflicts.
This was developed by the Inland Revenue Department but has since been modified and improved for use by agencies that are now being recruited. A new contract builder application is being tested with focus groups ahead of its October release.
This is designed to guide agencies through the process of creating commonly used documents and contract templates. “By using digital clause libraries organisations can reduce risk and the time required for legal review,” a blog post explained. The procurement catalogue system, which enables agencies participating in all-of-government, common capability, and syndicated contracts to conduct procurement activities on a secure platform, is also being enhanced with new reporting capabilities and a better user experience.
Government Procurement is also investigating various types of digital tools to assist agencies and schools in evaluating tender advertisements and managing contracts and supplier relationships. After the website was migrated to the all-of-government common web platform, an upgrade of the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) was also completed. “This allows us to provide better performance for one of our most used websites,” the group said.
Overall, the efforts aim to lower barriers for businesses by providing a user-friendly experience and access to relevant and timely information, as well as to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of government procurement processes. The efforts also aim to promote a data framework that improves access to quality data to “generate insights and demonstrate progress”. NZ Government Procurement is a division of the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The Minister for Government Digital Services is working to ensure that New Zealanders’ interactions with the government are inclusive, accessible, responsive to their needs, and exceed their expectations. The Strategy for a Digital Public Service provides an opportunity for its public service to move forward and provide people with the same speed and quality of service as government agencies that they have with private sector organisations. It incentivises the public sector to rethink how services are delivered to New Zealanders while ensuring that those digital services are safe and secure.
OpenGov Asia reported that The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade had asserted that the country’s dependence upon cyberspace means that securing their networks, systems, programmes and data from attacks or unwanted access is vital and of increasing importance.
Ministry also said that the country is a champion of the international rules-based order and free, open, and secure internet. The application of international law to state activity online is a critical component of the framework of responsible state behaviour in the digital space. It is essential for maintaining international peace and stability.
The Strategy for a Digital Public Service establishes a course for developing a modern public service and the systems that will meet people’s needs in a modern, changing world, making it easier for people to have seamless access to the government services they want and need. The New Zealand government has made improving the well-being of all New Zealanders and their families a top priority.
Following the COVID-19 crisis, efforts in developing digital government strategies should focus on improving data protection and digital inclusion policies, as well as strengthening public institutions’ policy and technical capabilities. Despite the importance of public-private partnerships in implementing innovative technologies, government leadership, strong institutions, and effective public policies are required to tailor digital solutions to countries’ needs while prioritising security, equity, and the protection of people’s rights. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology, but also the crucial role of public health.
