Introduction
Statistics New Zealand’s Strategic Directions 2002 and Beyond sets out our medium- to long-term directions. This document outlines our vision, mission, role and values, as well as the six strategic goal areas, with their associated outcomes, that we will need to focus on over the next few years.
This plan will be the key business driver for all areas of Statistics New Zealand, as it encompasses both the statistical and service programmes. If it is going to make a difference, it must be a living document with links to all of our performance agreements at agency, workgroup and individual levels.
Statistics New Zealand faces a range of challenges and opportunities that have considerable implications for the future shape and accessibility of official statistics. The demand for more detailed and ‘cross-cutting’ information services is increasing within New Zealand society. Ongoing changes in technology are enhancing the accessibility and usage of data, and community expectations are increasing about the integrity, relevance and quality of statistical services.
Statistics New Zealand is recognised as both a leader and key participant in the system of official statistics. It is therefore no coincidence that Statistics New Zealand’s Strategic Directions 2002 and Beyond discusses official statistics – what they are, their importance, who provides them and where we fit into the overall system.
One key challenge that this plan seeks to address is how we can work with others in the wider system of official statistics to deliver statistical information that governments, communities and individuals recognise as:
- being relevant to themselves and their concerns
- representing a good return for their input
- providing fair and objective information and reporting, and
- coming from trusted and reliable sources.
The plan also identifies four core values that provide the guiding principles and behaviours for us all. Together, these core values underpin the manner in which we conduct our business and maintain our reputation for integrity.
The final section of the plan broadly outlines Statistics New Zealand’s strategic management process and the different planning elements that make it up.
A plan alone, however, will not be enough for future success. We are fortunate to have highly skilled, professional people who are strongly committed to the importance of sustaining and enhancing official statistics. This commitment has been, and will continue to be, at the core of the organisation’s high performance, and it will largely be through your dedicated work that our strategic goals and outcomes will be achieved.
The next stages in the strategic planning process are to:
- prioritise and sequence the initiatives in this plan
- identify any resourcing and risk management implications
- develop statistical and service programme business plans
- identify the associated action plans required to meet the strategic goals, and
- develop the processes for monitoring and measuring progress towards meeting these strategic goals.
I would ask each of you to read through this document and consider how you might contribute to our strategic directions. Together, we can further the vision of ‘Making Statistics Count’.
Statistics New Zealand’s Strategic Directions 2002 and Beyond has involved much robust discussion and critical thinking. My thanks go to all of those who have assisted in developing this plan.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
April 2002