Fijian Civil Service
SUVA – The Public Service Commission (PSC) hosted its last two webinars for Permanent Secretaries focused on decentralization in the public sector and the New Zealand’s strategy against HIV/AIDS today.
PSC Chairman Luke Rokovada emphasized
in his opening remarks that both of these challenges require strong, innovative
leadership to drive effective solutions.
“The Public Service Commission
believes it is essential to foster open discussion, generate new ideas, and
provide training to address these pressing challenges. Platforms like this
webinar series are invaluable for achieving that goal,” Chairman Rokovada said.
The webinar featured insights on
New Zealand’s decentralization reforms and its efforts to address HIV and AIDS.
Mr. Callum Butler, Policy Director
of the New Zealand Public Service Commission, shared how New Zealand has become
a global leader in New Public Management, advancing faster and further than
many other nations.
“Decentralization seeks to balance
autonomy with alignment, offering public service leaders’ greater opportunities
to innovate,” Mr. Butler explained.
Chairman Rokovada noted that New
Zealand is often cited as a model for New Public Management, though its
approach has evolved differently from other countries.
“New Public Management is often
associated with decentralization, and Fiji has much to learn from New Zealand
about what has worked — and what hasn’t — in ensuring public services are both
impactful and timely,” Chairman Rokovada concluded.
Public health experts Dr. Rose
Forster and Ms. Losana Korovulavula discussed New Zealand’s National HIV Action
Plan 2023–2030, sharing insights into the key outcomes that have proven
effective in the past and those anticipated for the future.