Preface

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), based in Wellington, was founded in 1958 as a non-profit making trust to provide economic research and consultancy services. Best known for its long-established Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion and forecasting publications, Quarterly Predictions and the annual Industry Outlook with five-yearly projections for 25 sectors, the Institute also undertakes a wide range of consultancy activities for government and private organisations. It obtains most of its income from research contracts obtained in a competitive market and trades on its reputation for delivering quality analysis in the right form, and at the right time, for its clients.

Quality assurance is provided on the Institute's work:

• by the interaction of team members on individual projects;

• by exposure of the team's work to the critical review of a broader range of Institute staff members at internal seminars;

• by providing for peer review at various stages through a project by a senior staff member otherwise disinterested in the project;

• and sometimes by external peer reviewers at the request of a client, although this usually entails additional cost.

Lazar Associates Ltd is a more recent creation built around the experience and skills of its principles. Lazar Associates have undertaken a series of assignments related to organisational structuring, strategic positioning and IT implications.

Authorship

This report has been prepared by John Yeabsley of NZIER and Doug Bailey of Lazar Associates Ltd. The assistance of all those we talked to about e-government in Horowhenua and Manuwatu is appreciated greatly.

The assistance of Larry Holmes of the State Services Commission is gratefully acknowledged. The frank and helpful contribution of Grant Lenny, Levin Service Centre Manager, DWI and Kuresa Tiumalu-Falseuga, Central West Service Manager, CYF is also noted with appreciation.