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Publications ~ Annual Report 2006

Statement of Objectives and Service Performance
for the year ended 30 June 2006

OUTPUT CLASS 3: INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENTS ON DEVELOPMENTS OVERSEAS

Description

This class of outputs involves:

• the provision of information and reports on events and trends overseas that affect New Zealand’s interests
  
  
• the identification, collation, evaluation, and analysis of information on topics likely to affect New Zealand’s foreign relations and external interests
  
  
• the preparation of intelligence assessments and reports on political, economic, environmental, biographic, strategic, military, and scientific subjects as required.
  
  

The use of effective planning and co-ordination processes in government can manage the risks of certain adverse events occurring, and can lessen their effect if they do occur. The department is responsible for assessing, monitoring and responding to threats of any kind in a timely and structured way.

Output Class 3 Financial Performance

	30.06.05 Actual $000	30.06.06 Actual $000	30.06.06 Main Estimates $000	30.06.06 Supplementary Estimates $000
Revenue - Crown	3,089	3,097	3,097	3,097
Expenditure	3,089	3,058	3,097	3,097
Surplus	-	39	-	-

Output Class 3
Service Performance – External Assessments Bureau (EAB)

 

Objective

To ensure the effective provision of high-quality, accurate, objective, and succinct assessments of
overseas developments that are of policy relevance to New Zealand.

Performance

There were no instances where significant factual errors were reported in papers that had already been issued.

In a few instances, readers (particularly in New Zealand diplomatic missions overseas) provided additional information and insights subsequent to the publication of papers, especially for biographic reports. Such information was not available to EAB at the time that the reports in question were written. EAB solicits such feedback as a way of improving the quality of its reporting.

Limits on the length of papers continued to be enforced strictly.

Priority was given to work directly related to topics of immediate concern to policy makers.

During the reporting period:

• the National Assessments Committee (NAC) approved 77 papers (this compares with 80 in 2004/05)
• 541 biographical reports were prepared (compared with 445 in 2004/05)
• 229 other assessments and reports were prepared, including 93 executive intelligence summaries (the comparative figures for 2004/05 were 212 and 90 respectively).

 

Biographical reports were delivered to primary customers before the visits and conferences to which the reports related.

Relevant EAB reports were available at the start of Watch Group (close situation monitoring) meetings.

 

Objective

To ensure that the Prime Minister, other senior ministers, and officials are satisfied with the assessments and reports provided.

Performance

Assessments reflected national priorities, and those done in response to specific tasking addressed the topics specified by those who requested them. Substantial positive feedback was received.

At least 90 per cent of assessments submitted to the NAC required no more than minor revision.