MBIE has apparently come in under the $16 million budget for the refit of their new building, which is also claimed to save millions more over several years. However, this budget included a 3.5m curved screen in their reception at $140,000, a $67,000 stone sign outside the building and a deck costing $260,000.
Sounds like they've lost the plot to me. Yes, these may be relatively small items within a $16 million budget, but that is no excuse.
Whether private sector or government, what sort of project manager thinks it's okay to spend this amount of money on these types of items, whether shareholders or tax payers' funds. And it is seriously out of touch for a government department.
My first major lesson on spending money according to the principles of good public service was some years ago when working at the Department of Conservation.
I accompanied a prince from the Gulf State of Qatar to the Marlborough Sounds - by helicopter no less - to see a kakapo (at his expense).
The prince's butler made it clear to me in no uncertain terms that it was protocol for me to accept a gift - he hounded me about whether I wanted a watch or a bracelet or something else, and I kept declining.
Eventually he slipped me an envelope, which I opened later to find a wad of cash.
Now I knew it wasn't appropriate for me to keep it for myself, so instead I thought I could share it with the team and take us out for a nice dinner. But not to be. My boss said the only thing I could do was donate it to a conservation charity as that wasn't how we treated funds in the public service - even if gifted by an oil-rich prince.
So I believe that it's a sign of something seriously wrong with the leadership and organisational culture if these sorts of expensive items get through in a government department. Spending government funds should come with a test of "what would this look like on the front page of the paper?" MBIE has seriously failed that test.
However, I'm not jumping on the anti-government department bandwagon - it's okay to provide a decent workplace for public servants.
Actually, it's more than okay - it's well deserved and being a good employer is recognised as a factor in reducing turnover and improving performance, so it's also sensible long-term thinking.
Just don't spend unnecessary amounts while you're doing so. Supply hair straighteners, but not top of the range. Have a dynamic reception display area, but not a massive expensive screen. Provide an outdoor deck area for staff, but not at the cost of a nice house in Wanganui.
-Nicola Young has worked in the government and private sectors in Australia and NZ and now works from home in Taranaki for a national charitable foundation. Educated at Wanganui Girls' College, she has a science degree and is the mother of two boys.
