Accessing government information can be a necessary evil, one often accompanied by much gnashing of teeth, wailing, and tearing of hair follicles. Why? The word bureaucratic springs to mind, followed swiftly by convoluted, unnecessarily intricate, and confusing. But that’s all about to change, thanks to a brand spanking new website The New Zealand Government Directory. Now, understanding the workings of government, and its key power brokers, has never been easier. The interactive new site, developed by Network Communication, brings together all publicly available information onto the one site. Hurrah.
Network Communication’s business managing director Dennis Lynch says this will assist people with government relations, and advocacy programmes:
“All the information is in the public domain, but it is dispersed across literally hundreds of sources. Even if you know where to look, locating the information is incredibly time consuming. For the past 26 years we have published the information in book form and on a web site, but as with all printed version it is out dated almost from the day it is printed.
“Key data on our new interactive website is updated daily, and all information is update quarterly. The directory lists key decision makers in parliament and in government agencies, their advisers and their contact details. It provides a step by step guide on how to make a submission, and how our political and government systems function. The website publishes media statements from political parties and government agencies as they are made, and carries live blog and twitter feeds from those in government that use this form of communication,” says Lynch.
Being interactive, the site allows you to track specific topics, and establish who in government might be involved in a particular issue. It also informs you how to address people in public office. The resource will hopefully make it a lot easier for anyone who needs to interact with government and its agencies, including government departments and public libraries.
