Background to PSSM

Since 1991, the State Services Commission has organised the Public Service Senior Management (PSSM) Conference meant specifically for Chief Executives and senior managers of the New Zealand Public Service.

The objective of all PSSM Conferences has been to reinforce the common values and collective identity of the Public Service, and to unify and challenge senior managers.

Recent PSSM Conferences have focused on thinking about the future and our place in it. This year, it concentrates on what we need to do differently–and how–in order to deliver results for New Zealanders in this future context. The Conference will focus on the practical and how-to aspects of doing things differently. Participants will hear concrete examples of forward-looking, innovative response from other jurisdictions and within New Zealand.

Senior managers should come away from the Conference fully understanding that there are no alternatives but to do things differently, and inspired and emboldened to try putting “different” into practice in their own field of work.

This year, for the first time, the PSSM is being held in Auckland as well so as to give more managers an opportunity to participate in the Conference.