Summit for a Digital Public Service 2022

At the top of a dark blue screen is the logo for Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs. Underneath the logo is the text ‘Summit for a Digital Public Service, 6 October 2022’.

Cut to a dark blue screen. On the screen is the text ‘What does system leadership look like?’.

Cut to Paul James, who is standing on stage at the podium, speaking to the Summit audience. On-screen text reads ‘Paul James, Government Chief Digital Officer, Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs’.

Paul James: “System leadership in many ways is just about enhancing the strengths of the public sector and building a strong base of collaboration. Digital is one of the obvious ways we can do that. So digital can be standardised, digital can be scaled, and digital can connect or break down silos.”

Cut to Ann-Marie Cavanagh, who is speaking from the podium to the Summit audience. On-screen text reads ‘Ann-Marie Cavanagh, Deputy Government Chief Digital Officer, Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs’.

Ann-Marie Cavanagh: “Leadership happens at all levels so, we are the GCDO, we support the GCDO, but actually we look to you as well as leaders in your organisation, to help us make this collective effort and help to make collective change.”

Cut to a dark blue screen. On the screen is the text ‘Reflections on the Summit’.

Cut to Dennis Bidois, who is standing in a crowded room that’s buzzing with conversation. Next to him is Brenda Sergent from New Zealand Police. People behind them are standing or sitting in groups, chatting and enjoying morning tea. On-screen text reads ‘Dennis Bidois, New Zealand Police’.

Dennis Bidois: “When you are exploring new places, it can get a bit lonely and a bit scary. Isn’t it lovely [he leans forwards, smiling, eyes twinkling] to figure out there’s a whole lot of other people all exploring around you? Now I can see them. Let’s go over and have a kōrero [talk] and start working together [he chuckles, glancing at Brenda, and Brenda smiles and nods in agreement.].”

Cut to Matt Dempsey. On-screen text reads ‘Matt Dempsey, Ministry of Social Development’.

Matt Dempsey: “It’s been really good. It’s good to get a much more aligned focus across all of government, to see that we are a digital public service, that we are joined up and we’re consistently delivering outcomes for the actual individuals, our citizens of New Zealand, with them at the centre.”

Cut to a dark blue screen. On the screen is the text ‘Key takeaways’.

Cut to Stuart Gregory. On-screen text reads ‘Stuart Gregory, Te Puni Kōkiri’.

Stuart Gregory: “I think the takeaway that I’ve got is the need to really lean into the collaboration across government and share our learnings amongst our counterparts.”

Cut to Sumit Rai. On-screen text reads ‘Sumit Rai, Department of Corrections NZ’.

Sumit Rai: “It’s good to understand and learn from other agencies who have gone through a similar path, how they learned, how they evolved.”

Cut to a dark blue screen. On the screen is the text ‘The impact of digital on our work’.

Cut to Brenda Sergent. On-screen text reads ‘Brenda Sergent, New Zealand Police’.

Brenda Sergent: “And I think digital, particularly at Police, is — you know, we’ve got an incredible number of people that are out there in very different environments — so, it’s listening to what they need as well to support them in the work they do. And I think that’s where digital can really play a big part.”

Cut to Amanda Batt, who is standing next to Tracy Voice from the Ministry of Social Development. Tracy is eating a muffin. On-screen text reads ‘Amanda Batt, Department of Corrections NZ’.

Amanda Batt: “Kind of in every step that I take throughout the day to make sure that all my frontline staff across the country, who are working with some of the most marginalised people in New Zealand, are able to do their job and to actively support them. So, you know, happy frontline staff equals a happy prison, hopefully.”

Cut to a dark blue screen. On the screen is the text ‘The impact of digital on our lives’.

Cut to Nancy Ford. On-screen text reads ‘Nancy Ford, Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs’.

Nancy Ford: “I mean, digital just runs through the thread of our lives every day, day in and day out. And there are advantages to it and there can be some disadvantages to it. But I think when we start to think holistically of it being […] maybe an enabler — rather than just a problem to fix or a toy to play with — I think that’s where we’ll really get the gains from it.”

Cut to Robert Te Moana. On-screen text reads ‘Robert Te Moana, Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs’.

Robert Te Moana: “If a kid is on their device, they’re already digitally enabled, they’re already digitally connected. And I think, if anything, we need to look at our children, their children and the future that digital will play — and the role that it will play — in order to allow our children to prosper and thrive in the future. So that’s where I see digital.”

Cut to a dark blue screen. On the screen is the text ‘Final thoughts’.

Cut to Ann-Marie Cavanagh, Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs, speaking again from the podium.

Ann-Marie Cavanagh: “So for me what did I enjoy? I enjoyed the energy. Honestly, I think the energy and engagement that we’ve seen — both in the room and also online — has just been phenominal, so really thank you to everybody, and thank you for your openness and thank you for the questions. It’s just been fantastic and that engagement has just been awesome. I think the other thing, for me, that I’ve really enjoyed was actually seeing people connect, connect over a bit of kai [food], having a conversation, but being the GCDO and really facilitating those conversations I think is an important role that certainly the GCDO — the Digital Public Service branch — can offer.”

Cut to a dark blue screen. At the top of the screen is the logo for Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs. Beneath the logo is the text ‘Digital Public Service’. At the bottom of the screen is the logo for Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Government