This book is about the challenge of dealing with risk, uncertainty and dynamic change in making and implementing public policy. The main motivation for the editors was the perception that, despite much rhetoric to the contrary, the policy debate in New Zealand continues to be dominated by static modes of thought. At a superficial level, change is accepted as the norm; indeed, the fact that things are changing often motivates new policy development processes. In reality, however, much of public policy debate is still dominated by the idea that reform is transitory, that the period of change is nearly over, and that there are many certainties in the world of public policy.

The purpose of this book is to look at how the state sector in New Zealand handles change and uncertainty. It presents a series of focused papers dealing with different aspects of the issue, by various authors. By the medium of these analyses and discussions, the book aims to educate both the students and practitioners of public policy, and to draw policy lessons from New Zealand's recent experience.

The editors are Alex Sundakov and John Yeabsley, respectively the Director and a Senior Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. In their introductory chapter, they present and develop the framework used in the other individual chapters. These chapters cover risk and central government (Graham Scott), environmental risk (Peter Clough), a ministerial perspective of risk (David Caygill), and risk in banking supervision (Arthur Grimes), SOEs (Ian Duncan) and the corporate sector (John Boshier).

Both the Institute of Policy Studies and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research have extensive records of research into public sector issues. The two institutes have worked together on this project to deepen their contribution in analysing vital issues of public sector management.