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The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) operates at the heart of government. Our main role is to ensure that the core collective decision-making process of the Cabinet is supported as well as possible.
Our roles and activities reflect those of our minister, the Prime Minister. We have direct control over very little of the operations of government, but our minister is continually called to account for the performance of all areas of government. As a result, we have an interest in:
In the coming fiscal year, 1999/2000, there are some developments which will dominate our work.
APEC, especially the leaders' meeting in September 1999, will be a major event. The Prime Minister will chair a meeting of leaders representing nearly half the world's people and over half the world's economic activity. As well as ensuring that she has good support in that role, and that the rest of the government process continues uninterrupted, DPMC will be responsible for ensuring that there is strong co-ordination of security activities throughout the New Zealand hosting of APEC.
The onset of the new millennium involves two contrasting focuses. Celebrations throughout the country require some ministerial oversight to ensure that New Zealand takes the chance appropriately to mark our unique identity. In particular, preparation for Waitangi Day next year demands a close focus as we celebrate one nation of diverse peoples. On the other hand, the millennium poses the problem of possible Y2K computer failure. DPMC will be ready to play a co-ordinating role if substantial infrastructure failure demands a major response.
The run up to the general election will be a time of highly charged politics. During that time we will continue our role of offering loyal support to the Prime Minister in respect of her governmental obligations. However, we will maintain a proper separation from anything connected to the election campaign. After the election, if there is a period of uncertainty before a government emerges, we will be responsible for assisting the operation of the caretaker convention. If called on we will offer appropriate support in the provision of information to parties negotiating to form the Government.
When the identity of the Government is clear, it is the department's role to manage any necessary transition, arrange the swearing in of ministers and co-ordinate briefings for ministers.
We also have a key role in ensuring that the intentions and priorities of the Government are understood and respected in government departments. In particular, the promulgation of the Government's goals for the term of the next parliament and beyond, and the expression of these goals as management targets for departmental activity, are services which DPMC has performed after recent elections and which we stand ready to do again after the coming election.
In carrying out these tasks, and our day-to-day activities, the key asset of DPMC is our staff. While no single formal discipline dominates among our staff, the major focus is the art of government; in particular the support of a democratic government. A key goal for the department is to maintain a core of staff with extensive public service experience, powerful analytical skills and managerial abilities to provide "head office" strategic skills for the Government. We aim to supplement that team with a steady turnover of energetic and intelligent people from many backgrounds, so that they may learn from and contribute to the government process.
The staff of the department are acutely aware of our responsibilities. We believe the position of Prime Minister is so important and demanding that the incumbent deserves the best possible support. We aim to provide that support at all times.
Mark Prebble
Building on our position as a central government agency, to provide consistently the best possible advice, secretariat, information and support services to successive governments to help them govern efficiently and effectively in the interests of New Zealand.
E whakatau ana tenei tari I tona ake mana me te kawanatanga, he kete matauranga. E wetea ana, I nga wa katoa, a, hei tohu I nga kai tuhi-kaupapa, ahakoa ko wai te kawanatanga, mo te painga, me te tiaki I nga tikanga katoa hei oranga mo tatou o Aotearoa.
We will add strategic and operational value to the decision-making by and the administration of, the Executive (the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and the Governor-General) through the provision of:
The department's performance will be built on effective partnerships with our key stakeholders.