The Emperor's New Clothes: The Uncertain Fate of Equal Employment Opportunities in the New Zealand Public Sector, 1988-1992

Abstract

During the last decade, equal employment opportunities (EEO) has moved frrmly onto the
agenda in the New Zealand public sector, as in other countries. Legislation governing the
operation of central, regional and local government and the state's trading enterprises
contain a "good employer" obligation which requires chief executives to implement EEO
programmes. The allocation of resources to EEO, the appointment of EEO co-ordinators,
the development of EEO programmes and the explicit consideration of the EEO
implications of wider policies and decisions have all become regular elements of the
management of public sector organisations. Long-serving employees could not but identify
the development of EEO as one of the major changes of the last decade.