Reserve Bank of New Zealand staff thin on ground after asbestos reopen

RBNZ's doors are open but underutilised. (Image: Getty)

Fri, 28 Nov 2025

Almost two-thirds of workers at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s central Wellington pile were out of the office on Friday last week when the regulator reopened after two weeks of asbestos shutdown.Asked about her concerns over this level of turnout, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said: “I understand changes to the Reserve Bank’s [RBNZ] flexible working policy will take effect early next year.”The sparse headcount on Friday last week followed Willis' saying in September that she expected public servants to turn up to...

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