(1)
The chief executive of a department or departmental agency is responsible to the appropriate Minister for—
the department’s or departmental agency’s carrying out the purpose of this Act; and
the department’s or departmental agency’s responsiveness on matters relating to the collective interests of government; and
the stewardship of the department or departmental agency, including of its medium- and long-term sustainability, organisational health, capability, and capacity to offer free and frank advice to successive governments; and
the stewardship of—
assets and liabilities on behalf of the Crown that are used by or relate to (as applicable) the department or departmental agency; and
the legislation administered by the department or departmental agency; and
the performance of the functions and duties and the exercise of the powers of the chief executive or of the department or departmental agency (whether imposed by any enactment or by the policies of the Government); and
the tendering of free and frank advice to Ministers; and
the integrity and conduct of the employees for whom the chief executive is responsible; and
the efficient and economical delivery of the goods or services provided by the department or departmental agency and how effectively those goods or services contribute to the intended outcomes.
(2)
Except as provided in any other enactment,—
the chief executive of a department is not responsible for the performance of functions or duties or the exercise of powers by that part of the department that comprises any departmental agency hosted by the department; and
the chief executive of a departmental agency is responsible only for the performance of functions or duties or the exercise of powers by that part of the department that comprises the departmental agency.
Section 32: replaced, on 18 July 2013, by section 27 of the State Sector Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 49).