What is CabNet#
CabNet is a secure platform for supporting Cabinet and Cabinet committee processes. It is the workflow system for Cabinet and Cabinet committee meetings, and the central repository of Cabinet papers and minutes of decisions.
Cabinet material (Cabinet papers, minutes, agendas and summary tops) is stored centrally in CabNet. Access to CabNet is based on the need-to-know principle, and individual access permissions align with each user’s role and group membership (follow this link for more information about accessing CabNet).
CabNet provides for authorised users to manage submissions through the Cabinet and Cabinet committee consideration process. A “submission” is created when a Cabinet paper is uploaded as a final draft or lodged into CabNet. A submission contains all the documentation and information related to one Cabinet paper. As well as the Cabinet paper, a submission typically includes attachments, Cabinet Office-prepared summary tops and minutes, and a link to the Report of Committee (in which Cabinet confirms the minute).
What can be uploaded into CabNet#
Cabinet papers and related attachments can be uploaded into CabNet by officials in government agencies, and uploaded and lodged by Ministers’ offices.
The ‘Uploading Cabinet papers’ guidance provides more information on the file types and file size limits of material that can be uploaded into CabNet.
Information with a security classification up to and including Sensitive / Restricted can be uploaded and accessed in CabNet. Refer to this page on handling Cabinet material for more information.
Cabinet material that has a classification higher than Sensitive or Restricted, or has a New Zealand Eyes Only or a Special Handling Required endorsement, cannot be uploaded into CabNet. This information is handled offline only. Follow this link for more information about off-CabNet items.
High quality and accurate information means high quality records#
CabNet works best if the data and documents entered into it are correct and well-formatted. This includes the paper title (as this becomes the name of the submission on the Cabinet or Cabinet committee agenda), and the correct display of the Cabinet paper and any attachments (follow this link for advice on how to fix formatting issues in papers).
CabNet users are collectively responsible for the quality of the information and content contained in CabNet.
Who administers CabNet#
A devolved accountability and user-administration model supports the administration of CabNet.
Agencies that use CabNet are responsible for setting up and administering the accounts of the CabNet users within their agency, and for the quality of the material and information entered into CabNet.
Ministers’ offices are responsible for setting up and administering the accounts of the CabNet users in their office, and for providing a final quality and accuracy check.
CabNet is maintained by the Cabinet Office.