Standards & guidance

  • Digital Service Design Standard

  • NZ Government Web Standards

    • Proposed changes to Web Standards — Review 2024

      The Web Standards are being updated to include WCAG 2.2 and other improvements. The consultation on these changes is now closed and the updated Web Standards are expected in early 2025.

    • Web Standards clinics

      Bring your questions and challenges, general or specific, about the Web Standards and accessibility to receive advice and guidance in a supportive, informal group setting.

    • Web Standards effective from July 2019

      We have updated the NZ Government Web Standards, which define how to make sure government websites are accessible and usable by everyone, including disabled people.

    • Web Accessibility Standard 1.1

      All public service and non-public service agencies must meet the NZ Government Web Accessibility Standard from 1 July 2019.

    • Web Usability Standard 1.3

      All public service and non-public service agencies must meet the NZ Government Web Usability Standard 1.3 from 1 July 2019.

    • Web Standards Self-Assessments

      Self-assessment helps government agencies understand how accessible and easy to use their websites are, and what the main user experience issues are.

    • Web Standards risk assessment

      The Web Accessibility Standard and Web Usability Standard require that NZ Government organisations be prepared to assess and report on their conformance with those Standards. This includes submitting a risk assessment and management plan regarding any areas of non-conformance.

    • Web Standards Cabinet Minute and Paper

      In 2003, Cabinet directed core government agencies to implement the New Zealand Government Web Standards. The Web Standards are made up of the Web Accessibility Standard and Web Usability Standard.

  • Privacy, security and risk

    • Privacy

      Advice, guidance and tools to help government agencies improve their privacy capability and maturity.

    • Security

      All government-held information requires appropriate protection. Government agencies must consider the nature and value of the information they’re managing and the measures needed to protect it.

    • Risk management

      Advice and resources for understanding, assessing, documenting and managing risk.

  • Governance

    • System Assurance

      A valued system of assurance delivers high levels of trust and confidence in digital public services for all New Zealanders. The System Assurance team provides Ministers, the Government Chief Digital Officer and other key stakeholders with confidence that the system of assurance supporting digital government outcomes is effective.

    • Digital information management

      Understand the principles, legislation and requirements for managing the data and records you keep.

    • Copyright and licensing

      The New Zealand Government open access and licensing framework — known as NZGOAL — provides guidance about releasing copyright and non-copyright material for re-use by others.

    • Digital investment

      Understand who leads investment management in the state sector and the principles government Budget decision makers use to approve digital or data investment budget bids.

    • Procurement

      The government's ICT strategy and supporting work programme includes a focus on streamlining common ICT procurement processes.

    • Managing online channels

      People working on online channels need to think about an online management model, the web information and data lifecycle, and security and privacy.

  • Technology and architecture

    • Artificial intelligence (AI)

      Guidance and research for AI use in the public service from the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO).

    • Cloud services

      The New Zealand government has a Cloud First policy. Government organisations must adopt public cloud services on a case-by-case basis, following risk assessments.

    • Enterprise architecture

      The Government Enterprise Architecture for New Zealand (GEA-NZ) is a common language and categorisation framework that promotes consistency in the way government models its business processes, services and infrastructure.

    • GEANZ Standards and Guidance Catalogue

      Catalogue of standards, guidance and other resources that COULD, SHOULD or MUST be used by NZ government organisations when doing service design, business architecture, system transformation and digital development.

    • Government domain names

      The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) manages the allocation of .govt.nz and .parliament.nz domains. This service is for all New Zealand central and local government organisations.

    • Application programming interfaces (APIs)

      Use APIs to share information across agencies and improve your customer's experience.

    • Legacy system guidance

      Guidance on replacing or retiring legacy systems and technology and how to manage risk during the process.

    • NZ Government Customer Information Quality (CIQ) Profiles

      The OASIS Customer Information Quality (CIQ) Standard is an international standard for customer information interchange quality. It includes personal and organisational names, addresses, party attributes and party roles and relationships.

    • New Zealand Secure Web Services Standard

      Provides a standard to enhance interoperability and provide a common validated approach to the security and privacy of secure Web services across government.

  • Strategy and planning

    • Digital lifecycle

      The digital lifecycle helps agencies focus on user needs when delivering digital products. There are 5 phases in the digital lifecycle: Discovery, Alpha, Beta, Live and Decommission.

  • Data

    • Data management

      Data management is about how your data moves through a data lifecycle: plan, collect, short-term storage, analysis, publish and preserve. At each stage you need to consider New Zealand data policies and adopt best practice when looking at how your data is stored, published and used.

    • Open data

      Open data is data that anyone can access, share and use. Data must be open, trusted, authoritative, well managed and readily available. Opening up data for reuse has widespread benefits to government, the private sector and the public.

  • Identity

    • Digital identity

      Digital identity, or digital identification, is information about you in a digital format. See how you can use digital identity information to easily access services in person and online.

    • Trust framework for digital identity

      The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework is the legal framework for digital identity services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    • Identification management

      Apply consistent, good practice methods of identification management to protect people from fraud and keep their information safe.

  • Content, design and UX

    • New Zealand Government Design System (alpha phase)

      A design system is a catalogue of reusable components, patterns and base elements you might need to build your website or an app.

    • Accessibility

      Web accessibility is about inclusion — making sure everyone, including disabled people and those using assistive technologies, can access online information and services.

    • Usability

      Usability is about designing effective, efficient and satisfying user experiences.

    • Content design guidance

      Use this guidance to help you design useful, readable, and inclusive content for your users.

    • Browser and device support

      Support the browsers and devices your visitors use so they can access core content and functionality.

    • Research

      Understanding your users and their needs is the first step towards designing useful, usable information and services.

Utility links and page information