Public sector reform in New Zealand - issues of public accountability

Abstract

The new Zealand public reform process of the late 1980s and early 1990s was notable for its attempt to clarify public accountability through the specification of outputs, contractual agreements and the disaggregation of government departments into smaller, more sharply focused agencies. While the reforms achieved managerial improvements, the accountability regime was less successful because of the difficulties of specification and the continuing robustness of ministerial responsibility in the face of attempts to limit the political control and accountability.