Overview
Facing intersectional crises, including climate change, pandemics, exploitation and mental health, it has never been more critical for the public sector to rapidly adopt innovative solutions. Too often, the public sector works siloed, without proper impact measurement or authentic collaboration. The GovTech Accelerator, now in its sixth year, has proven to be an effective and cost-efficient programme for addressing pressing issues.
The accelerator programme provides a unique context for the public sector to tackle problems at their root cause and collaborate with other agencies, upskilling staff and promoting individual empowerment for long-lasting impact. During the programme, teams apply innovation methodologies, gain diverse perspectives, rapidly test and develop interventions that are more likely to create lasting impact.
GovTech 2022
Over 13 weeks, the 2022 GovTech Accelerator brought together 14 teams from the public sector, and for the first time, the programme cohort also included public sector-focused startups and NGOs. During the accelerator, teams developed citizen-centric solutions that promote a more socially, culturally, environmentally, and economically sustainable Aotearoa.
The projects spanned a range of issues, including tackling migrant exploitation, empowering youth voices, and creating circular economies. Teams received expert coaching and mentor support through individual guidance, speaker sessions, and workshops covering topics such as discovery, ideation, securing funding, and pitching.
GovTech empowers the public sector to rapidly adopt innovative solutions that create a more sustainable Aotearoa through collaborative innovation, impact measurement, and upskilling opportunities.
See what our alumni have to say about the GovTech Accelerator programme.
Impact through the years
Reducing migrant worker exploitation with early interventions.
Every day, people who have moved to New Zealand to work in sectors like hospitality are getting exploited.
Dhilum and their team created VERI-Mi, a platform that allows workers to become more aware of their employment rights, effectively record the time they spend at work and have this linked to employment agreements.
Empowering communities to take action to protect the environment.
The Jobs for Nature team built a prototype of a tool that enables people across the country to find volunteering opportunities, look at them on a map, and connect with the people that are hosting them.
5 years of impact
The impact from the first GovTech accelerator is still being felt today. The following case studies show how our programme can create lasting change, robust solutions and professional development that makes a difference. Below are several key case studies. Read about all the past projects we've helped advance so far.
Spearheading positive change in the social services sector.
Manaaki Tairāwhiti is supporting the community where it needs it most, by measuring the efficacy of the current system through gathering data on barriers and needs. This project is exploring a tool to enable the accurate and efficient collection and analysis of this data.
Making precise mapping information available to everyone.
LiDAR is a technology that enables highly accurate elevation data captured from fixed-wing aircraft, and programmes are underway to capture this data throughout most of New Zealand. A team, including people from Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ) were tasked with ensuring that the benefits were realized for New Zealand as a whole.
New technologies to protect the Antipodean Albatross population.
The single biggest factor causing albatross decline comes from being caught on fishing hooks from longline fishing vessels. Albatross Reporting System DOC and MPI (2018)
Engaging with industry, government and NGOs in New Zealand, Japan, Chile, the US, South Africa, and the Pacific Islands, this project team developed EARS – the Electronic Automated Reporting System.
Equipping government employees with innovation tools and processes to create better support systems.
Building on a Memorandum of Arrangement signed between the New Zealand Embassy and the City Government of Valenzuela in Dec 2021, Creative HQ launched a 16-week accelerator programme with the Valenzuela City Social Welfare and Development Office. The programme was designed to support capability building of government employees, empowering them to create “citizen-centered” solutions.
"Innovation has always been one of the drivers of New Zealanders' wellbeing, and is part of the backbone of the story that we tell about ourselves." -Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington.
Evolving with technological and social change
The public sector must continuously adapt to meet the evolving needs of society. Innovation helps public sector organisations to address these challenges by introducing new and creative ways of solving problems.
GovTech is uniquely positioned to break the cycle of business-as-usual, and provides myriad benefits to conventional problem solving methods. Through iteration, prototyping and mentorship, GovTech reduces the cost of gaining true understanding of the problems faced, and how people experience the problem. It reduces risk, and enables the rapid deployment of a properly validated, citizen-centric solution.
Aotearoa is recognised as a global leader in public sector innovation, but there is a unique opportunity to accelerate this further. The country has implemented innovative programmes to improve government services, but must continue to push boundaries and find new solutions. GovTech is the opportunity to move further and go faster.
"One of the really cool things to learn when you’re inside of a system, is that everything that has been made can be remade. And that is a really important thing to hold close when you are thinking about how you can apply your creativity and your innovation to change all of those things." - Chlöe Swarbrick, MP for Auckland Central and Green spokesperson for Youth
Thank you to MP Chlöe Swarbrick for joining as one of the hosts for the 2022 Innovation Showcase.
See more photos of the Innovation Showcase here.
A proven difference
Research from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington examined the impact of the GovTech Accelerator, finding that in addition to the outcomes it produces, it is able to develop participants' skills, particularly in the following areas
- Confidence and Resilience
- Leadership
- Customer focus
In the current political and economic climate many agencies are focusing on how to retain and grow staff in cost effective ways. The GovTech Accelerator provides a way to achieve strategic outcomes and develop your team’s capability.
Our valued partners
In 2022, we were delighted to have the Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund as our foundational partner, continuing a longstanding relationship which is extending into 2023. We also hugely appreciated the support of WellingtonNZ, Amazon Web Services, End Game, the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, the NZ Productivity Commission and Aro Digital.
During the 2022 GovTech Innovation Showcase, the Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund awarded Ngā Mihi with a $50,000 grant towards their project; a digital platform where family members and community donors can buy pre-approved items for prisoners.
With this prize money, Livi Taufao, one of the leaders of Ngā Mihi, hopes this platform will be picked up by Corrections and used in prisons across the motū. Watch the pitch at the Innovation Showcase below.
“We believe that through collaboration and innovation, all our sectors can deliver positive change by creating new solutions for complex issues that impact all New Zealanders.” - Brent Chalmers, Westpac NZ Head of Public Sector and Chair of the Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund investment board
"Seeing the agency teams challenge the status quo to deliver creative and innovative solutions for citizens through this programme is what we love to see and support" - Keith Archibald, Digital Innovation Leader at Amazon Web Services
The 2023 GovTech programme is taking a new direction
The GovTech programme has evolved for 2023. We are looking for public sector project teams who understand the problem that they face and are prepared to have a specific focus on rapid solution development. This approach will require build, test and iteration cycles of a solution concept that will likely be tech-based.
What you'll need
Along with a clearly defined scope and problem statement, you will need a project team, ideally made up of three to five people who can dedicate time to work on the project for 13 weeks.
To learn more or secure your place, send an email to Jonnie Haddon or get in touch with him on LinkedIn.
Thank you
We’re extending our huge gratitude to everyone involved in the programme – participants, Creative HQ staff, sponsors, and everyone else.