Published on 20 Aug 2025

Revealing Public Service Realities: Public Service Survey Submissions Analysis

Projects
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Stephanie James Senior Consultant Contact me

The Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) (now known as Hāpai Public / the Institute of Public Professionals Aotearoa New Zealand) partnered with government agencies to strengthen New Zealand's public sector. When IPANZ and BusinessDesk needed to transform complex survey data into powerful insights, they turned to Allen + Clarke for our evaluation expertise and public sector knowledge. 

IPANZ's survey gathered valuable data about public service principles, including political neutrality, free and frank advice, merit-based appointments and workplace issues like bullying and harassment. 

Working collaboratively with IPANZ, we delivered the project within tight timeframes, providing regular updates throughout the process. Our final report became a valuable resource for stimulating discussions about public workplace culture and principles. 

Our work contributed directly to IPANZ's mission of supporting the development of a high-performing public sector that serves New Zealanders effectively. 

We analysed survey data from 771 public servants, creating a comprehensive picture of workplace experiences and adherence to core public service principles. Our evidence-based report enabled IPANZ to advocate for targeted improvements in public service culture and practices.

Our Approach

Allen + Clarke's evaluation and research expertise proved crucial for this project. We brought together a specialised team with deep knowledge of the public sector landscape and sophisticated analytical capabilities. 

Our approach included:

  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Project Planning - we established a clear framework for the analysis, ensuring alignment with IPANZ's objectives and defining the narrative structure for the final report.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Comprehensive data analysis - our team conducted statistical analysis of Likert scale responses, thematic assessment of open-text responses and comparative analysis with previous survey data.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Clear, accessible reporting - we create a visually engaging report that balanced quantitative findings with qualitative insights to tell the complete story.
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Uncovering critical public sector insights

Our analysis revealed valuable insights about New Zealand's public sector: 

  • Most respondents reported good understanding of political neutrality, with mixed opinions about whether the public service had become less politically neutral over time. 

  • 22% of respondents had experienced bullying or harassment in the workplace in the past 12 months, with most not reporting these incidents. 

  • Ministerial advisor influence showed concerning trends, with a significant decrease in public servants who felt these advisors made positive contributions to the policy process (from 48% in 2017 to just 19% in 2022). 

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Evidence for public sector improvement

Our findings provided IPANZ with substantial evidence to support advocacy for improvements in public sector workplace culture. The report:

  • Used a highly readable structure accessible to a layperson audience while maintaining analytical rigor. 

  • Included compelling infographics to visualise key data points. 

  • Focused exclusively on describing results rather than offering opinions, allowing IPANZ to use the data as a foundation for their own commentary. 

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Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram