Introduction

Worldwide, governments are seeking ways to use information and communications technologies (ICT) to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and convenience of public services. This has become widely referred to as e-government. Successful delivery of online services has rapidly become an important measure of effective public sector management.

In New Zealand, e-government has developed rapidly since the 1990s. This year the State Services Commission's E-government Unit conducted the first comprehensive assessment of the New Zealand Government's online presence. This included a formal assessment of more than 100 government websites, analysis of departments' use of the Internet and networks, and surveys to measure the demand for e-government.

This article explains the key findings of the review, summarises some of the history of e-government in New Zealand, and looks briefly at what lies ahead. It suggests that, although there are inevitably further challenges ahead, the story of e-government in New Zealand is overall a positive one.