BUILDERS CRACK
The cracks are still showing in Christchurch, as quake rebuilding continues. About 30 per cent of new homeowners in Canterbury would speak critically of their builder, compared with the New Zealand-wide figure of 17 per cent, according to the latest New House Owners' Satisfaction Survey, out this week. Just under 60 per cent of Cantabrians would recommend their builder, compared with 70 per cent elsewhere. in the country. Nationwide, 88 per cent of new homeowners were satisfied, down by about 3.5 percentage points from the previous year.
IDENTITY FLAW
RealMe was launched with much fanfare in July 2013, as a Government-backed secure online identity verification service operated by Internal Affairs. Anyone who has suffered through the process of setting up a RealMe ID knows it requires the patience of a saint and finely honed organisational skills. According to the latest report, 530,000 people managed to get through the first stage, to get an account which offers a single login to some online government services (though some suspect this was mostly transfers from the Companies Office login). However, only 15,000 have bothered or succeeded in getting a full RealMe verified account, which offers an online ID for a wider range of participating organisations, including some banks. The department acknowledged that its target of 50,000 to 100,000 by the end of last year was not met, but still still hopes that if they build it, we will come.
NOW HIRING
It's tough for Wellington's smaller ministries. Their advice tends to get drowned out by the larger departments and they struggle to hire and retain good staff. Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development) is a case in point: it has struggled for some time and its previous minister was not keen on taking tough decisions to give TPK some focus - instead trying to be all things to all people. Now it has a new operating model, but is finding it hard to hire good managers, and has four vacancies in its leadership team. It has reported 40 vacancies, but is only recruiting for 16 of them, instead relying heavily on contractors, which has resulted in overspending on consultancy fees.
Likewise, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission) can't find a chief executive - a role which has been vacant for over a year. It needs someone fluent in te Reo Maori, with experience of government processes and management experience. Problem is, the State Services Commission has set the potential salary at no higher than $200,000, and the language body says people with such skills are rare and can demand top dollar elsewhere. The irony is that the average - yes, average - salary at the SSC is $126,701. The language commission is also finding it hard to hire other staff. Some ministers are wondering whether small agencies with limited resources are capable of doing their work in a financially viable way, and whether amalgamations might be necessary. Of course, the uncertainty about the commission's future can't help in recruiting.
IN THE LOOP
Did ministers and/or the Cabinet Office see the writing on the wall in regard to the Northland byelection and the change in attitude needed towards minor support parties? Peter Dunne (below) and the Maori Party have been grumbling about feeling left out of the loop on many issues. Lo and behold, the Cabinet Office recently sent out a circular to ministers, their staff and departmental bosses reminding them about the rules for consulting support parties. Among the reminders: "Timely consultation between portfolio ministers and between parties is essential to the successful operation of the Cabinet decision-making system, and is a specific expectation of the agreements with support parties." As well: "Ministers should keep their colleagues informed about matters of public interest, importance, or controversy." No one is looking at Steven Joyce, of course.
