How Central Government Works

A (very) brief overview of Central Government

government noun
1 (oftenthe Government) a body of people, usually elected, with the power to control the affairs of a country or state.
2 a the way in which this is done; b the particular system used.
3 the act or practice of ruling; control.
- Chambers 21st Century Dictionary

1. Central Government
2. Parliament
3. The Executive
4. Policy

1. Central Government

Central Government: Structure
Sovereign
(Governor General)
1. Legislature
(House of Representatives)
3. Judiciary
2. Executive
(Administrators, State Services)
(Government ministers)

Central Government: Responsibilities
Legislature (Parliament)
Creates, modifies, deletes law
Executive (Ministers and State Services)
Proposes and implements policy
Judiciary (Judges and Courts)
Adjudicates on the meaning of law

2. Parliament

Parliament: Structure
House of Representatives(Government and Opposition Members of Parliament)
Sovereign
(Governor General)
+

Parliament: Main Roles
Make, modify & unmake law
Provide a Government
Hold Government to account
Approve Government taxes and spending
Forum for political contests
Represent citizens

Members of Parliament: work in...
Cabinet (Senior Government ministers)
Executive Council (Ministers, senior policy advisers)
Debating Chamber
Select Committees
Party Caucuses
Electorate Offices (electorate MPs)

3. Executive

Executive: Structure
Government ministers
State Services including:
+
State Services Commission
Public Service Departments
Non-Public Service Departments
Crown Entities
Reserve Bank of New Zealand

Executive: Government Roles
Determines policy (takes advice from State Services)
Decides what to spend in which policy areas
Acts to amend, add or delete laws accordingly
Directs State Services on policy implementation

Executive: State Services Roles
Research policy
Give policy advice to Government
Implement policy through agencies
Overseen by State Services Commission

4. Policy

Policy addresses the supply and regulation of the requirements of life

Birth
Childhood
Families
Ageing
Workforce
Death
Healthcare
Schools
Houses
Retirement
Jobs
Cemeteries

power
gas
fuel
waste
food supply water supply
hygiene
jobs
teachers
doctors
engineers
plumbers
train drivers
houses
parks
schools
hospitals
offices
security
regulations
monitoring
enforcement
infrastructure transport

What is required?
How much/many required?
What is best way to provide structure, services and safeguards?
Should government provide it?
When is it needed by?
How much will it cost?
With limited funds available, what will be prioritised?

“Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.”
JK Galbraith 1908-2006
Economic adviser to President John Kennedy

The End