Controller update: September 2023
19 September 2023: This update explains recent events in Parliament’s authorising of public expenditure and our work in monitoring government spending and providing assurance to Parliament and New Zealanders.
Leading New Zealand’s approach to housing and urban development
30 August 2023: Our country is facing significant housing and urban development challenges. Good leadership of our housing and urban development system is important to address these underlying challenges.
Commentary on Te Tai Waiora: Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand
29 August 2023: In 2022, the Treasury produced a report on the state of New Zealand's well-being called Te Tai Waiora: Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. We looked at this report, as well as well-being reports from other countries, to provide observations that could help the Treasury’s future well-being reports.
Getting it right: Supporting integrity in emergency procurement
24 August 2023: In this article, we share our findings on how effectively public organisations have ensured integrity in emergency procurements.
Submission on the Water Services Entities Amendment Bill
31 July 2023: We provided a submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Water Services Entities Amendment Bill.
Annual plan 2023/24
29 June 2023: Our annual plan outlines our discretionary programme of work for 2023/24 – performance audits, special studies, regular reports and updates, and good practice guidance. This is work that we consider will help us to achieve our ultimate outcome – that Parliament and the public can have trust and confidence in New Zealand’s public sector.
Responses to our recommendations about strategic suppliers
29 June 2023: We asked the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Treasury, and the National Emergency Management Agency for an update on their responses to recommendations we made in 2021 about how they understand and manage the risks of service disruption from strategic suppliers.
Auckland Council: Preparedness for responding to an emergency
28 June 2023: The Auditor-General periodically reviews Auckland Council’s service performance and each of its council-controlled organisations. This time, we reviewed the Council’s disaster resilience and readiness work.
Meeting the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence
27 June 2023: We published a report in 2021 that described how effectively a joint venture involving 10 government agencies had been set up to support efforts to reduce family violence and sexual violence. In this report, we look at how the government agencies are working individually, together, and with tangata whenua, communities, and non-government organisations to understand and respond to the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence.
Summary of unappropriated expenditure: 2015/16 to 2021/22
15 June 2023: On average, $155 million of government spending in six of the last seven years has lacked proper authority from Parliament. The number of instances has decreased and the value of unappropriated expenditure is a low percentage of the Government’s budget.
Responses to our recommendations about managing freshwater quality
14 June 2023: We asked the Ministry for the Environment, Statistics New Zealand, Waikato Regional Council, Taranaki Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council, and Environment Southland for an update on their response to recommendations we made in 2019 about managing freshwater quality.
Review of the Provincial Growth Fund reset
12 June 2023: We wrote to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee after reviewing how Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit managed the repurposing of more than $600 million from the Provincial Growth Fund.
Four initiatives supporting improved outcomes for Māori
1 June 2023: We looked at three agencies and four initiatives (He Poutama Rangatahi; the Māori Agribusiness Extension Programme; Te Ahu o te Reo Māori; and Whānau Engagement) that aim to support improved outcomes for Māori.
Response to our recommendations about infrastructure as a service
30 May 2023: We asked Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs for an update on its response to recommendations we made in 2018 about Infrastructure as a Service.
Response to concerns about the Measles Catch-up Campaign
22 May 2023: Dr Shane Reti MP wrote to us with concerns about the Ministry of Health’s Measles Catch-up vaccination campaign, including its cost, the number of vaccines that expired, and its failure to address Māori equity. This is our letter in response.
Letter in response to concerns about funding for the Port Nelson Slipway project
4 May 2023: A member of Parliament wrote to us with concerns about funding for the Port Nelson Slipway project. This is our letter in response.
Letter in response to concerns about allocating funding to Transport Choices projects
3 May 2023: A member of Parliament wrote to us with concerns about the way funding allocations were determined for the Transport Choices Package. This is our letter in response.
New Zealand Defence Force: Resetting efforts to reduce harmful behaviour
30 March 2023: This is the first in a series looking at how well NZDF is progressing towards its aim of eliminating inappropriate and harmful behaviour and creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all NZDF personnel.
A safe and respectful New Zealand Defence Force: First monitoring report
30 March 2023: This is the first in what will be a series of monitoring reports to assess how well the New Zealand Defence Force is implementing Operation Respect. It establishes a baseline for measuring NZDF's progress.
Managing public funding in an emergency response or recovery – Observations from our work
29 March 2023: In emergency response and recovery situations, funding and purchasing decisions often need to be made quickly, while still ensuring transparent and accountable decision-making, getting value for money, and acting lawfully.
The Auditor-General's auditing standards
29 March 2023: At least once every three years, the Auditor-General is required to publish the auditing standards they apply, or intend to apply, by way of a report to the House of Representatives. The auditing standards apply to audits, inquiries, and other auditing services carried out on behalf of the Auditor-General. This is the March 2023 version of those standards.
Tertiary education institutions: 2021 audit results and what we saw in 2022
28 March 2023: This report summarises the main findings from our 2021 audits of tertiary education institutions and the progress of the vocational education and training reforms, including what they are designed to achieve, and the leadership and governance of the reform process.
Results of the 2021 school audits
27 March 2023: This detailed information sets out the results of the school audits for 2021. We have provided this information, and a list of recommendations, to the Secretary for Education.
The Auditor-General's strategic intentions to 2028
16 March 2023: The Auditor-General's strategic intentions to 2028 sets out the objectives we will focus on for the next five years.
Controller update: July to December 2022
15 March 2023: Almost all government spending for the first six months of 2022/23 was properly authorised and within the law. The single confirmed instance of unlawful spending was for Accommodation Supplement payments under Vote Social Development.
Submission on the Natural and Built Environment Bill
8 March 2023: We provided a submission to the Environment Committee on the Natural and Built Environment Bill.
Submission on draft water services legislation
8 March 2023: We provided a submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Water Services Legislation Bill and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill.
How well public organisations are supporting Whānau Ora and whānau-centred approaches
14 February 2023: We wanted to know what progress Te Puni Kōkiri and other public organisations have made in supporting and implementing Whānau Ora and whānau-centred approaches more generally.
Getting the most out of your department's Audit and Risk Committee
9 February 2023: Understanding and managing risk in a government department is particularly challenging. This is where a well-functioning audit and risk committee can add significant value. We've published a guide for government departments on audit and risk committees, and how to ensure that these committees operate as effectively as possible.
Engagement of consultants by Horowhenua District Council
31 January 2023: We wrote to the Chief Executive of Horowhenua District Council after concerns were raised with us about the engagement by the Council of external consultants to provide services in relation to the Levin landfill.
