New Zealand’s Public Sector AI Community of Practice is an active professional network of digital government practitioners meeting monthly online for wide knowledge sharing, learning and connection. Online meetings regularly bring together up to 200 practitioners from a wide range of government organisations to share knowledge on a range of AI-related topics and relevant information.
Initiative overview
The Public Sector AI Community of Practice is a centrally led professional network that connects digital practitioners across New Zealand’s wider public sector. In its first full year, membership expanded from 60 to 95 agencies nationwide, with more than 600 practitioners engaged overall. Around 200 practitioners typically join each monthly online session, and the community delivered more than a dozen sessions over the year. Its purpose is to provide a shared space where agencies can learn from one another, explore emerging technologies and strengthen capability across government.
As part of the Government Chief Digital Officer’s AI Work Programme, the community’s agenda is shaped by members’ interests and feedback, ensuring sessions remain timely and relevant. Each monthly gathering is built around the themes of share, learn and connect, combining formal presentations, knowledge‑sharing updates and structured discussions. Agencies routinely present updates on their AI programmes and initiatives, offering insights into practical implementation, lessons learned and developing responsible AI practices. Deep‑dive sessions explore technical topics or emerging developments, often led by subject‑matter experts such as data platform managers and scientists who share specialist knowledge or support training.
Sessions examine active AI use cases and pilots, provide visibility into early exploratory projects and highlight shifts in technology or the operating environment that affect government AI adoption. Sub‑communities have begun to form around shared areas of practice, including a growing Policy Professionals group led by practitioners in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Other relevant details
The community supports the broader AI programme, which applies international and local research, data and analytics to accelerate responsible AI uptake across government. Four focus areas guide this work, addressing both barriers to adoption and opportunities for innovation. Fifteen initiatives currently underway are building mechanisms and prototypes to embed AI capability across the public service, supporting the modernisation of government services.
Demand for the Community of Practice continues to grow. To date, 15 monthly sessions have been delivered, with consistent participation from around 200 professionals representing more than 90 government organisations. This active engagement has contributed to the successful delivery of the government’s AI in the Public Service work programme, and measurable increases in AI uptake across agencies. Membership is open to government organisations across the wider public sector; while interest is high from commercial entities, sessions are reserved exclusively for public servants. Interested colleagues are invited to contact the central organising team to join. Participants receive regular links to core foundational material, including the Public Service AI Work Programme, the Responsible AI Guidance for the Public Service: GenAI, and the Public Service AI Framework, ensuring consistent understanding of national expectations and best practice.
