Contributions and challenges of ‘New Public Management’: New Zealand since 1984

Abstract

When New Public Management (NPM) swept around the world in the 1980s the New Zealand public sector embraced its theories and embarked upon a rigorous reform process which brought both praise and some scepticism. New Zealand was seen at that time, by some observers, to be a ‘world leader’. However, in the years following the initial impact of NPM the euphoria has given way to a more rigorous analysis of the performance of the public sector and a re-examination of the functions and responsibilities of the public service.