Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Context

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) provides advice to the New Zealand government on culture and heritage matters. It assists government in its provision and management of cultural resources for the benefit of all New Zealanders. MCH undertakes a number of activities that support and promote the history and heritage of New Zealand.

Details of MCH's e-government programme and initiatives are detailed in the document 'Culture Online 2003-2004'. Culture Online outlines the Ministry's primary focus, with regard to online information and services, of providing access to a range of information to different audiences. MCH also has a role promoting e-government in the agencies the Ministry funds.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage E-government Initiatives

• Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand
• Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
• The New Zealand History website
• Website redevelopment

Summary

Ready Access: A large portion of the work of MCH is centred on policy development and agency monitoring. Its direct services are primarily such resources as the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, History Group projects and, shortly, the Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand. The Ministry also provides information about symbols of national identity such as the flag and anthems.

Alignment: MCH aligns well with the relevant aspects of the E-government Strategy, providing and sharing information, encouraging participation, and where possible providing some services online. In this way, MCH contributes to the outcome of increased access to and understanding of New Zealand's culture and heritage.

Internet and Communications Technology

MCH manages a number of websites in conjunction with the main corporate site. Occasionally, additional websites are used when there is short-term public interest on a specific topic, as occurred recently with the Airways Bill. All sites are intended to comply with the Government Web Guidelines.

Mostly, the websites are informational, but some have an element of interaction, such as the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and The New Zealand History website, and some websites provide downloadable forms for:

• applications for awards and grants
• current projects and past publications
• seminar dates
• staff lists and contact details.

The policy development role of the Ministry has limited need for complex information communication technology or the Internet. Email effectively facilitates most aspects of policy development and information dissemination. However, the Internet is used to consult, and to publish policies and information on current projects. The Ministry does not have contact management or document management systems, or an Intranet. At present there is no intention to introduce these systems because existing processes and systems work satisfactorily.

In future, should any of these systems be needed, sharing systems with other agencies or using E-government Unit components should be considered. Future software development costs could be reduced through the reuse and sharing of software or bespoke program code.

MCH was an early adopter of Secure Electronic Environment. It is noted that this has been a resource intensive process during the first six months of 2004, especially as information technology is outsourced. MCH would be interested in using an inter-agency Shared Workspace for policy development, but is not in the position to commit resources to develop a shared workspace.

Ready Access to Information and Services

Metadata

MCH has created 48 records in the Metalogue. There are 22 services, 25 documents to support these services, and an agency record. Metadata is well written, at an appropriate level of detail and links are all live.

Metadata is up-to-date and of a high quality.

Website Assessment

Websites assessed during May 2004 included:

www.mch.govt.nz - Ministry site

www.dnzb.govt.nz - Dictionary of NZ Biography

www.nzhistory.net.nz - NZ History site

but excluded the National War Memorial site

Overall, the MCH websites are of a high standard. The information and services the Ministry is required to provide are readily accessible on their websites. Information delivery was a strength of all MCH websites, and the corporate site has a high level of accessibility. Site redevelopments will result in better usability.

Since the MCH sites were assessed, MCH has commenced an extensive website upgrade project. Thus, many of the quality issues noted below may no longer be relevant. These quality issues included:

• A good range, depth and presentation of information and services.
• Usability and site navigation could be improved for easier use.
• Sporadic accessibility features, such as navigation skipping, access keys and style sheet problems may impede some physically impaired people's access.
• More links to other related content would be useful.
• Required email addresses are not provided on the DNZB and History websites.
• Contact details could be more specific to enable responsive handling of enquiries.

Alignment With E-government Goals

Convenience and Satisfaction

In addition to the more general information provided on websites, a number of organisations use the Internet to obtain information about MCH funding and licences. Websites are used to provide information on funding available, eligibility, how to apply, and downloadable application forms to obtain funding and apply for licences. MCH is investigating options to extend the use of the Internet for online funding and license processing. However, the requirement for applicants to sign forms and often provide additional information has precluded this. Currently, there is no need for automated office systems, as few organisations apply for each fund or license.

The Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand is the primary e-government project that MCH is undertaking at present. The Encyclopedia will be a comprehensive guide to the natural environment, history, culture, economics, institutions, peoples and social development of New Zealand. Information available on the online Encyclopedia comes from a range of sources and is channelled through MCH, and includes an intranet link for all MCH staff. The project is expected to go online in October 2004.

Integration and Efficiency

Artefact licences are one of the few cross-agency services that MCH is involved in. Information is shared with Customs to ensure that New Zealand artefacts are not exported without a licence. MCH manages a database of licence holders, and people can apply for a licence via downloadable forms.

Participation

As a policy agency, MCH takes advantage of the Internet to encourage participation by advising of policy developments and providing contact details for submissions and general queries. Information is also provided on symbols of national identity, such as the flag, anthems and the coat of arms.