With a global reputation for transparent government, the New Zealand administration is fast-tracking its investment in open data and improved access to information. This is supported by an ambitious new project, being launched in July 2014, that modernises the New Zealand.govt.nz site.

This project involves 36 core agencies, and Crown entities that deliver key services. These encompass social welfare, immigration, transport, education, health, the environment, and conservation.

This revamped site, currently in beta, will offer highly-intuitive access to government information, to enable citizens to access on-line services more easily.

This all-of-government initiative is led by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). It supports transparent and open government reforms, and better online access to core services. New Zealand’s open government initiative reinforces digital reforms, according to Laura Sommer, DIA’s Wellington-based project lead for digital information.

She told FutureGov that demand remains high for improved access to on-line services. A re-designed central government site offers the ability to source and manage information in an interactive, and more intuitive environment, directly from the desktop, or mobile devices.

Details about this project are available at Beta.govt.nz and the Web Toolkit site.

Fact-check usage

“We want to bring customers right into the site,” Sommer says. “We’re developing new ways to locate information, restructure content, and make better use of evidence-based reporting tools.”

Agencies and Crown entities, linked to this site, are already able to “fact-check” content, track traffic and usage, and will be able to streamline their data analytics and information management capability.

Collaborative development with agencies is critical to success. “This is because we’re talking about all-of-government programmes,” adds Sommer. “So we find that a co-creative co-design model is really important.”

Manage content

Tech-savvy citizens, used to navigating commercial sites, expect the same look-and-feel from government sites. Mobile apps, social media, and dash-board features improve information access for people on the move.

“There are other aspects, like social media, mobility, and real-time access that remain critical to creating an open interface, and connecting more readily with citizens.” By mid-year, the New Zealand site will offer faster search and browsing capability.

Make design responsive

“We want to ensure that what we design is usable and accessible, especially on websites,’” Sommer says. “Apart from a highly-responsive design, people should be able look at what government is presenting online via any device.”

New Zealand’s online presence focuses on a user-centred design. It will be “open by default,” nurture trust and security, and support collaborative development, and common capability.

At DIA, Sommer leads a Digital Engagement team, tasked with improving the government’s online presence. This approach supports a “customer at the centre” strategy.

Among its features, a re-designed site offers all-of-government information based on users’ needs, with plain English content and features that are easy to understand.

Improve security

The goal is helping citizens interact safely and securely with government online. A Domain Integrity Project is examining the current state of agencies’ web presence, and security management mechanisms.

Plans are underway to streamline the security of critical infrastructure. Moreover, an online engagement service, that has guidance and a community-of-practice, will help agencies actively connect with end-users and other agencies. This helps inform about services and policy development.

Share governments’ digital project updates at the 3rd Annual FutureGov Forum New Zealand being held Wednesday 6th August in Wellington.