FAQs
About e-government
- What is e-government?
- Why get involved with e-government?
- What is the role of the State Services Commission?
- How will I know whether e-government is working?
Access
- What about those who don't have computers?
- How are you dealing with the issue of rural bandwidth?
- How are disabled people being catered for by e-government?
- What are you doing to ensure Maori language needs are being met?
Money
- How much money is being spent on e-government?
- Can you guarantee this project won't be abandoned when another important initiative comes along?
- How can we be sure the money is being spent on the right things?
- If government departments are going to be more efficient, will I pay less tax?
Audiences
- What will e-government mean to ordinary Kiwis?
- What will e-government mean for small and large businesses?
- What will e-government mean for public servants and government organisations?
Impacts
- Will e-government mean some people lose their jobs?
- Do government departments have the right type of employee?
- If many government agencies are already working online, why is your e-government strategy so urgent?
- If I receive information or services through the portal, can I be sure it is correct and can be checked later?
Security
- Why are you promoting a Secure Electronic Environment (S.E.E. (tm)) when we all know that nothing is secure on the Internet?
- Will I just be a number to the government?
- If the government opts for PIN numbers, will it be able to spy on me?
- What will happen if government agencies can't manage the change to e-government, in addition to their normal work?
- How much are people using New Zealand government websites?
Glossary
About e-government
What is e-government?
E-government is all about government agencies working together to use technology so that they can better provide individuals and businesses with government services and information. It is not a massive Information Technology (IT) project. Much of it is about establishing common standards across government, delivering services more effectively, and providing ways for agencies to work together using technology.
Why get involved with e-government?
Today we expect information and services to be online and available around the clock in our homes, schools, libraries and work places. We have been quick to adopt new ways of communicating both in business and in our personal life. Government is responding to these new demands.
E-government will deliver enhanced services to us as individuals and provide a better environment to build a knowledge-based economy and sustained prosperity. E-government makes it easier to do business with government. It also makes it cheaper. In Australia it has been estimated that it can cost as little as $1-7 each time you use a service online. This compares with $2-200 to deliver the same service over the counter, by mail or telephone, or by sending out a brochure.
What is the role of the State Services Commission?
The SSC is working with government agencies to achieve the Government's vision for e-government. The SSC leads, facilitates and coordinates e-government activities, but the actual delivery of e-government is the responsibility of all government agencies.
How will I know whether e-government is working?
Most people contact a government agency when they need information or have to fill in a form. You will know when e-government is working when you can do most of this easily on the Internet. The most visible form of e-government is the all-of-government web portal, www.govt.nz. The portal catalogues and connects together government websites, helping you to find the information or services that you are looking for.
Access
What about those who don't have computers?
E-government is not about replacing the ways you are used to dealing with government organisations. You will still be able to talk to someone over the counter, speak to them on the phone or send in a letter. Even if you don't like or can't afford to use a computer, people helping you get what you want from a government agency will know that the easiest way to do this is online.
How are you dealing with the issue of rural bandwidth?
In October 2001 the Government announced pilot schemes to bring broadband services to rural New Zealand. This is part of an overall approach by Government to allow New Zealanders to have access to the new information and communication technologies for economic and social development. The Government wants to ensure all communities in New Zealand can access two-way high-speed Internet services by the end of 2003.
How are disabled people being catered for by e-government?
E-government aims to make information and services more accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. We have established guidelines, based on internationally recognised standards, to ensure everyone can use government websites easily. Website designers are already following these guidelines to make government websites more accessible.
What are you doing to ensure Maori language needs are being met?
Some government websites are already providing information in Maori along with English. There are still limitations in technology that mean the correct display of macrons cannot be guaranteed for all commonly used web browsers. We expect greater parallel use of Maori language on government websites as these limitations are resolved.
Money
How much money is being spent on e-government?
The Government has set aside $16 million over four years to fund the e-government programme at the SSC. There will also be other costs as e-government services such as the portal are developed, and as agencies take more functions online.
Can you guarantee this project won't be abandoned when another important initiative comes along?
E-government is not a fashion item; it's a major step forward in communications that has been accepted internationally. It's not an option. It's important the government helps minimise the time the public and business community spend on transactions with government. Tax dollars need to be spent efficiently to improve the service continuously, and e-government is the key.
How can we be sure the money is being spent on the right things?
We are focusing on getting the right building blocks in place. Technology is a rapidly changing area, so it is inevitable our plans will need to be adapted, which is why the e-government strategy is flexible and will be reviewed at least every 12 months. It's a bit like building a house - once the foundations have been laid, providing they are sufficiently solid, changes to the design can be made as the work progresses.
If government departments are going to be more efficient, will I pay less tax?
Our tax dollars will continue to be used for improving the government's quality of service.
Audiences
What will e-government mean to ordinary Kiwis?
For a variety of reasons people may prefer to access government services and information over the Internet. It may be difficult or expensive for them to visit a government office. Obtaining printed material may not be easy and it can be difficult to keep up to date. By providing faster and more flexible service e-government will mean people can deal with government organisations when it suits them, without having to visit the nearest office and join a lengthy queue. This will be a huge advantage for people living in remote areas. It will make it easier for people to participate in government consultations - eventually, even voting online will be a possibility. People will become better informed as it will be easier to find information for leisure, education, work or home life.
For example, you will be able to
- Register a birth, death or marriage
- Apply for social welfare benefits
- Pay tax and other bills
- Find information on Parliamentary activities, including online access to legislation.
What will e-government mean for small and large businesses?
Businesses will find it much easier to work with government organisations than they do today and they will especially notice the reduced cost of dealing with government. Business people being able to find the right information and regulations. They will also be able to conduct a series of related transactions quickly and in an integrated way. By encouraging use of the Internet, e-government will indirectly foster opportunities for business to develop their online services - a real boost for businesses with small workforces.
A significant benefit for business will arise from the participation of government in the information economy. While the focus of this programme is on taking government online, the effect will be to stimulate the move of a critical mass of New Zealand business services online - that has major positive implications for our ability to operate in the global economy.
What will e-government mean for public servants and government organisations?
It will have a significant impact - strategically, organisationally and culturally.
Impacts
Will e-government mean some people lose their jobs?
Joining the information age will mean changes in the skills required for some roles; also some agencies will change in size (growing and shrinking). Some staff will move from manual processing to providing online services. There will be a growing role for people who can help those who want to use government services online, but lack the skills. The SSC is coordinating its efforts to ensure everyone is equipped to take up the opportunities presented by e-government.
Do government departments have the right type of employee?
We are broadening our capability in service delivery and technology. The E-government programme will lead to increased demand for people who are Internet literate, but generally it will simply move us further along our existing path.
If many government agencies are already working online, why is your e-government strategy so urgent?
It's important all the development work is done consistently and within the all-of-government framework provided by the SSC.
If I receive information or services through the portal, can I be sure it is correct?
While all care will be taken to ensure that information found through the portal is accurate, the Portal Manager cannot take any responsibility for this. If you find information on an agency's website that you think may be wrong, let the agency know. Every government website provides a way for you easily to provide feedback about the site by email.
Security
Why are you promoting a Secure Electronic Environment (S.E.E. (tm)) when we all know that nothing is secure on the Internet?
Security on the Internet will always be an important topic of debate and research. The Secure Electronic Environment targets shared business applications but we will continue to update our technical solutions as required. Some government-held information is unlikely ever to be stored on Internet-accessible databases.
Will I just be a number to the government?
We are looking at a range of methods used internationally to securely identify anyone using the Internet to conduct their required transaction.
If the government opts for PIN numbers, will it be able to spy on me?
People's personal information will remain protected by the Privacy Act and other legislation. These laws bind all government departments. There will be situations where the integrated service provides real benefits to people because of the information drawn together - something that cannot be done yet, because of technology restrictions.
What will happen if government agencies can't manage the change to e-government, in addition to their normal work?
The State Services Commission is working actively to ensure its e-government initiatives are achievable within realistic time frames. Indeed, many of its requirements are based on modern public management practice.
How much are people using New Zealand government websites?
Research has shown that 28% of New Zealanders used the Internet to contact government in the year to August 2004. There is now a wide range of government information and services available online. Use of government websites is expected to grow as the Internet is taken up by New Zealanders, and as more government services are made available online.
Glossary
Authentication
A way of making sure people are who they say they are so that the right people are given access to the right information or service. We are often asked to authenticate ourselves by providing a PIN, signing a credit card voucher or having someone sign our photograph when we obtain a passport.
Directory
A central list of government agencies and staff used within government organisations to manage access to information systems within and between agencies.
Interoperability
The ability of government organisations to share information and to integrate information and business processes by agreeing to use common standards.
Metadata
Electronic catalogue entries that describe information and services in a structured way. The information in a library card system is metadata that helps you find the books you want.
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)
A lock and key system that allows one person to scramble information before sending it to another in a way that can be unscrambled only by a person holding the appropriate key.
Portal
A website that helps people find information and services. The all-of-government web portal www.govt.nz helps people find the information and services government organisations provide. It is like an online reception desk for the whole of government.
Thesaurus
A list of terms that (1) allows government organisations to describe the information and services they offer in a consistent way and (2) allows people looking for the information and services to use terms they are familiar with, rather than the ones government organisations choose to use.
