Skip to main content

Investing in our people

Chapter nine

When we look across the four capitals in Aotearoa (financial, social, natural, and human) and consider the context of complexity, uncertainty, and disruption, we heard consistently that there is only one reliable hedge against disaster: the depth and breadth of human capability that we can bring to bear on our national challenges. 

Concluding comments: investing in our people

When we look across the four capitals in Aotearoa (financial, social, natural, and human) and consider the context of complexity, uncertainty, and disruption, we heard consistently that there is only one reliable hedge against disaster: the depth and breadth of human capability that we can bring to bear on our national challenges.

Talent, insight, empathy, and lived experience – these are the attributes that were resoundingly referenced as the most valuable things we can bring. They allow us to innovate and be agile, create strong bonds and resilience as communities, engage meaningfully, and work with data, evidence, and knowledge. They allow us to draw on rich wells of historical and cultural understanding to forge new pathways.

Deloitte Partner, Adithi Pandit on our recommendations to invest in our people

Considering the four faces of the public sector steward also sets a new challenge for public service talent and leadership: to manifest these roles and capabilities within the workforce and to work with Aotearoa businesses and communities to create this human capital for our future.

The system of education and learning in its broadest definition, will be critical to nurturing our future talent. Attracting and retaining talent across the public service will ensure we can harness this capability in the roles that matter. We must build the strategic capabilities into our education and learning frameworks, organisational capabilities of business and government and our leadership groups.

We started this report with a daunting set of challenges facing Aotearoa, and a sense that despite progress, there remain fundamental gaps in the strategic capabilities we can bring to bear on navigating our way to a thriving future. We finish, however, with a sense of optimism. It is truly our people and communities, and our shared commitment to this country, which will see us through the winds of change. Across six megatrends, seven capabilities and four faces – the focal point is on our people investments.

As the kuaka take wing each year, relying on the strength of the flock to make a most courageous journey, so we have the opportunity to take flight into the wind together. 

Explore the next chapters in our State of the State 2023 report

Get in touch

Adithi Pandit

Government and Public Sector Leader | Partner – Strategy & Business Design

Cassandra Favager

Director - Strategy & Business Design