In the 1980s New Zealand embarked upon one of the most radical programmes of public service reform ever seen in the developed world. The country's old welfare model was torn up and replaced wholesale by a programme based on the new public management - contracts, contestability and central control became the watchwords.

But as this pioneering nation faces up to a new set of social and economic challenges, how are its public services bearing up? What do public servants have to do to remain relevant and lead change in their society? Demos is working with the Public Services Association, the country's largest public sector union, to examine the future for New Zealand's public services.

We are examining emerging approaches to public service delivery from across the globe to understand what a new wave of reform might look like, and to examine how unions can take a proactive role in helping their members adapt and thrive in the future.

If you would like to learn more or to get involved in the project, please e-mail simon.parker@demos.co.uk or call on 0207 367 4200.