Foreword

The E-government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) was first issued in February 2002. This version (v3.3) is the tenth edition to be published.

In the six years since the initial launch, we have seen tremendous change in New Zealand, both in the public sector and in wider society. Technology continues to advance and government agencies' business needs keep evolving in response to the changes in technology and society. The challenges and opportunities these changes present demand innovative and collaborative solutions from government agencies.

Since 2002, the e-GIF has proved to be a significant tool for enabling agencies to work together and for all-of-government initiatives. By promoting collaboration and the efficient use of resources, the e-GIF contributes to the State Services Development Goals of Networked, Coordinated and Accessible State Services.

The e-GIF has formed the foundation of a number of important e-government initiatives. The framework has helped collaboration between government agencies, resulting in more integrated services for New Zealanders. For example:

• Customers can now register for a company IRD number online when they incorporate a company. This service eliminates the need for new companies to deal with the Companies Office and Inland Revenue separately. It makes the registration process faster by eliminating duplication of information between agencies and the need to provide paper-based IRD number applications.
• SEEMail, the Secure Electronic Environment Mail standard, helps the secure exchange of email and attachments using the Internet. It is now used by 51 government agencies.

These online services and resources have been made possible by the e-GIF, and the people from across government who have worked together on this version, and all the earlier versions, of the framework.

Over the coming years standards will continue to be added to the e-GIF, and the framework will grow to accommodate them.

We welcome the publication of this latest version and acknowledge the collaborative effort that has achieved this. We are also confident this valuable resource will continue to provide the foundation for future e-government initiatives across the State Services.

Laurence Millar

Deputy Commissioner, Information and Communication Technologies Branch

Sheena Gleisner

Chairperson, e-GIF Management Committee