Department of Labour (New Zealand)

Department of Labour Te Tari Mahi
Department of Labour logo
Department overview
Jurisdiction	New Zealand
Employees	1500
Minister responsible	Hon. Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Labour
Department executive	Nigel Bickle (Acting), Secretary of Labour
Website
http://www.dol.govt.nz/

The New Zealand Department of Labour (Māori: 'Te Tari Mahi') was established in 1891 and its primary role is to improve the performance of the labour market and, through this, strengthen the economy and increase the standard of living for those in New Zealand.

The department's acting chief executive is the Secretary of Labour Nigel Bickle. The department is responsible to several cabinet ministers, including:

• The Minister of Labour (Hon Kate Wilkinson)
• The Minister for ACC (Hon Judith Collins)
• The Minister of Immigration (Hon Nathan Guy)
• The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (Hon Steven Joyce)

Structure

The Department of Labour is made up of six work groups. These are:

• Immigration Group
• Labour Group
• Policy and Research Group
• Business Services Group
• Legal and International Group
• Executive Group

The Department’s Chief Executive also serves as the Secretary of Labour. In this capacity, he is legally responsible for carrying out the Department’s work as directed by the Government through its responsible Ministers, and as detailed in the Statement of Intent. Responsibility for this work is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executives whom, along with the Chief Executive, comprise the Department’s Strategic Leadership Team.

Immigration Group

Immigration delivers immigration and settlement services and provides immigration instructions advice on these areas to the Government.

Labour Group

Labour delivers employment relationship and workplace health and safety services and provides policy advice to the Government on both these areas and the ACC.

Policy and Research Group

Policy and Research Group provides the Ministers with a strategic whole-of-labour market policy perspective on employment, immigration, and accident compensation.

Business Services Group

The Business Services Group provides a range of central services, including advice on policy and standard setting, which are designed to improve the Department’s overall capabilities. Responsibilities include human resources, information communications technology, information management, communications, and financial management (including property and procurement).

Legal and International Group

Legal and International provides legal services and advice to the Department and Ministers, and oversees official information and privacy requirements. International Services manages the government's relationship with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and maintains an overview of linkages between international developments and domestic policy issues. Legal and International also represents the Department in courts and tribunals, and performs a key role in the development of legislative reforms and their passage through Parliament.

Executive Group

Executive Group provides dedicated support functions and services to the Chief Executive. The major focus is to providing the Chief Executive with risk, reputation and governance assurance.  These functions are carried out with the assistance of the Internal Audit Team and the Departmental Portfolio Management Office. The Executive Branch also leads work on critical Departmental projects.

External links

• Department of Labour official site