A blueprint for better Government

The NZ Initiative has put out a great report proposing a much more efficient structure for both Cabinet and the wider Executive.

NZ currently has 81 ministerial portfolios, 28 ministers and 43 executive agencies. By comparison Ireland has 15 Ministers and 18 departments.

The Initiative propose a Cabinet of 15 Ministers, being:

1. Prime Minister
2. Finance
3. Defence and Security
4. Foreign Affairs and Trade
5. Home Affairs
6. Māori Development and Crown Relations
7. Public Service
8. Environment and Conservation
9. Justice and Law
10. Health and Wellbeing
11. Education and Skills
12. Social Development
13. Built Environment
14. Commerce
15. Primary Industries

Incidentally I proposed a similar structure of 12 Ministers back in 2011. Fairly similar groupings but I couldn’t resist Department of Administrative Affairs instead of Home Affairs. Yes Minister fans will know why.

They also propose a rationalisation of the 43 agencies to 20 departments, being:

1. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
2. Ministry of Finance
3. New Zealand Revenue and Customs
4. Ministry of Defence and Security
5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
6. Department of Home Affairs
7. Ministry for Communities
8. Ministry of Māori Development and Crown Relations
9. Public Service Commission
10. Ministry of Environment and Conservation
11. Ministry of Justice and Law
12. Department of the Attorney General
13. Ministry of Health and Wellbeing
14. Ministry of Education and Skills
15. Ministry of Social Development
16. Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Regional Development
17. Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
18. Ministry of Commerce
19. Ministry of Energy and Resources
20. Ministry for Primary Industries

15 Cabinet Ministers, 20 portfolios and 20 departments or ministries. It would not just be more efficient, but it would be far far more effective.