Govt sets new spending record for contractors and consultants

Govt sets new spending record for contractors and consultants
Contractors were involved in rolling out the covid vaccine. (Image: NZME)
Jem Traylen
Covid vaccinations and work on major reform projects has caused public service spending on contractors and consultants to skyrocket by more than $300 million.The growth came from operational spending (opex), which increased by more than half, from $610m in 2021 to $927m in 2022, while capital expenditure went down 4%, from $332m to $317m.The opex as a share of total public service workforce spend (that is, including employees), went from a record low of 10.3% in 2021 to a record high of 14.6% in 2022.Five departments accounted for nearly two-th...

More Policy

New foreign investment agency: the details
Economy

New foreign investment agency: the details

A tighter focus for NZ Trade and Enterprise will be one result.

Four new agencies to replace CRIs in major science overhaul
Policy

Four new agencies to replace CRIs in major science overhaul

The Government will set up four Public Research Organisations instead of just one.

Prime minister: It's time to stop saying ‘no’ to growth
Economy

Prime minister: It's time to stop saying ‘no’ to growth

Going for growth is now 'non-negotiable', says Christopher Luxon.

Unleashing growth, taking the productivity pulse, and more…
Policy Business of Government

Unleashing growth, taking the productivity pulse, and more…

Our weekly roundup of public sector news and analysis.

Jem Traylen 22 Jan 2025