Accountability and Transparency in the Public Sector: The New Zealand Experience

Author/Editor:

M. Cangiano

Publication Date:

November 1, 1996

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper describes the reforms introduced in the New Zealand public sector since the mid-1980s. The reforms included corporatization and privatization of most state-owned enterprises, the shift from a cash-basis to an accrual-basis accounting system and the compilation of a balance sheet for the central government and its entities, performance-based arrangements for the delivery of core government outputs; and institutional changes in expenditure control mechanisms. The paper also summarizes the impact of the reforms on government revenue and spending patterns, and discusses lessons learned from New Zealand’s experience.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1996/122

Subject:

Budget planning and preparation Economic sectors Financial statements Fiscal accounting and reporting Fiscal policy Public financial management (PFM) Public sector

English

Publication Date:

November 1, 1996

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451854442/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1221996

Pages:

30

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org