e-Government
E-government (short for electronic government) can be a way for governments to use new information technologies (for example, the Internet) to:
- provide people with easier access to government information and services;
- improve the quality of government services; and
- provide more opportunity for people to participate in democratic processes.
Getting and Giving Information
More use of information technologies such as the Internet could:
- make it easier for people to have their say in government. For example, proposals by a ministry to change its services could be put onto the Internet for people's feedback;
- help people get a better service from government organisations. For example, instead of joining a queue to register a motor car, the owner could do it from his or her home and at any time of the day, on any day of the week;
- enable people to receive well co-ordinated information from a number of government departments, because different government organisations will be able to communicate more effectively with each other. For example, as a result of an accident, a person may need to talk to several different government organisations - the public hospital, ACC and WINZ - outlining their personal circumstances and needs to each organisation. If the three organisations have the ability to share information and co-ordinate their services, the person need only go through that process once instead of three times;
- people could be better informed because they can get up-to-date and comprehensive information about government laws, regulations, policies and services. For example, if a person wants to transport an oversize load of materials by truck or trailer from one side of town to the other, he or she has to get hold of the appropriate road safety regulations, which are available only in a printed form. Making that kind of information available on the Internet could improve peoples' ability to go about their leisure or work-time activities safely and within the law.
Practical Benefits
Within the next 5 or so years, people should be able to do a range of things electronically, for example:
- electronically registering information with the Government - for example, births, deaths and marriages - at a time and place that suits them;
- conducting their financial dealings with government organisations electronically (e.g., pay taxes);
- obtaining, completing and sending all government forms from one place on the Government's Internet site;
- having their say on different government proposals and policies through the Internet;
- benefiting from the reduced costs and time involved in buying and selling property because land survey and title information would be available electronically and transactions can be registered the same way; and
- notifying changes of address, so that one entry on the Internet can ensure lots of Government agencies are notified automatically.
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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