2022/23

A list of our work produced between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023.
Māori perspectives on public accountability

21 July 2022: We commissioned Haemata Limited to help us understand more about Māori perspectives on effective public accountability. Guided by kaupapa Māori research principles, Haemata had wide-ranging discussions with 35 Māori participants about their perspectives on accountability and trust in, and with, the public sector. The findings in Haemata's report highlight issues that we consider are of importance to all public organisations that seek to build and maintain trust and confidence with Māori.

Follow-up on marine protection planning processes

18 August 2022: We asked the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai and the Ministry for Primary Industries Manatū Ahu Matua for an update on their response to recommendations we made in 2019 about marine protection planning processes.

Cost of living payment

29 August 2022: We have written to Inland Revenue and Nicola Willis, MP about cost of living payments made by the government.

Setting up a council’s Audit and Risk Committee

13 October 2022: An Audit and Risk Committee provides a council’s governing body – the set of all elected councillors – and the community with confidence that a council is managing its risks. Here we provide suggestions for how best to set up and run such a committee.

Annual report 2021/22

18 October 2022: This 2021/22 annual report describes the work we have carried out to demonstrate how we will achieve our ultimate outcome – that Parliament and the public have trust and confidence in New Zealand's public sector.

Auditor-General’s mid-term review

27 October 2022: Earlier this year, Auditor-General John Ryan reached the mid-point of his seven-year term. He commissioned a review to reflect on where we are as an Office, identify the challenges the Office faces, and confirm the key priorities for the rest of his term.

Update on 2021 school audits

22 November 2022: A high-level overview of the 2021 school audits. We have provided this information, and a list of recommendations, to the Secretary for Education.

Observations from our central government audits: 2021/22

13 December 2022: This report sets out the operating environment for central government, the results of our audit of the Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the year ended 30 June 2022, our work carrying out the Controller function, and our observations about performance reporting across central government.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.