Statement of Forecast Service Performance
Output Class 2 Service Performance:
Support services to the Governor-General and maintenance of the two Government Houses
Description
This class of outputs involves:
- the provision of financial, administrative, communications, travel, and advisory services to the Office of the Governor-General; and the provision of domestic and personal services to the Governor-General
- the conducting of a range of official functions, investitures and receptions at Government House, and the hosting of state and other dignitaries
- the general upkeep and security of the Government Houses and grounds in Wellington and Auckland
- the maintenance of the other residences and buildings associated with the two Government Houses
- investigations into the condition and steps required to restore Government House Wellington.
Support services to the Governor-General
- Provide efficient and effective support to the Governor-General to facilitate the ceremonial and community roles of the Governor-General.
Performance standards are:
- Events are well organised to a high standard agreed with the Governor-General, efficient, and cost effective.
- The Governor-General’s programme is appropriate to the Office and well balanced.
- The Governor-General is highly satisfied with all services and functions.
- Feedback is positive.
Performance measures are:
- three-monthly formal feedback sought from the Governor-General on the range of services provided
- formal feedback and evaluation sought from the Governor-General and external agency staff on specific events (such as state welcomes and dinners, investitures, credentials, and regional visits within New Zealand).
- Provide services to the Governor-General to ensure the efficient and effective running of the official programme and the household. These services include advisory, administrative and household activities, and the organising of functions.
Performance standards are:
- All correspondence is registered and actioned appropriately within one week of receipt.
- All speech material is timely, co-ordinated with contributing agencies, and of a high standard acceptable to the Governor-General.
- All services meet the requirements of the official programme, including overseas travel, that has been agreed with the Governor-General.
- Formal feedback from the Governor-General is positive.
Performance measures are:
- formal feedback sought from the Governor-General on a three-monthly basis
- formal feedback and evaluation sought from the Governor-General and staff on specific events (for example, after every overseas trip)
- peer review by external agencies (such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and Department of Internal Affairs) sought from time to time.
Maintenance of the two Government Houses
- Preserve, secure, and enhance the buildings and grounds of both Government Houses as appropriate residences for the Head of State and as historic places.
Performance standards are:
- Maintenance programmes meet the requirements of government policies for the management of historic heritage buildings, and health and safety.
- Routine maintenance, rolling programmes, and development projects are carried out in a timely cost-effective manner, and to an appropriate standard.
- An annual security survey will review existing and changing security requirements.
- Security systems and physical security apparatus will be regularly inspected and maintained.
Performance measures are:
- the Governor-General informed as appropriate on Government House property matters, on an ongoing basis
- the Governor-General’s views on priorities sought, on a regular basis
- peer review of security by an external expert, on an annual basis
- completion of a well researched authoritative report on options for the possible restoration of Government House Wellington by 1 December 2007.
Cost
Support services to the Governor-General and maintenance of the two Government Houses will be produced within the sum of $3.546 million. $3.516 million is to be funded from revenue: Crown, and $30,000 from revenue: other. An appropriation of $798,000 is also administered under permanent legislative authority (the Civil List Act 1979) for the purposes of meeting the Governor-General’s salary, allowances and travel. An appropriation of $2.15 million for investment in Government House and $475,000 for depreciation for Crown assets has been included in the 2007/08 Estimates.
