Public service pay restraint causes recruitment difficulties

Public service pay restraint causes recruitment difficulties
Pay prospects for public servants are starting to improve. (Image:Getty)
Jem Traylen
The government is about to release new public service pay guidance that reflects an environment of high inflation and a tight labour market.The government first released the guidance ordering pay “restraint” in 2020, as a response to covid-19 and updated it again in 2021.In the year to June 2022, the average public service pay increase was 2.3%, compared to 3% in the wider public sector, which includes health, education and local government, while it was 3.4% in the private sector.The Public Service Commission said it intended to re...

More Policy

Start-up founders get tax help; thin-cap regime review
Economy

Start-up founders get tax help; thin-cap regime review

Start-up shareholders will be able to defer tax until a 'liquidity event'.

‘Modest’ business tax measure to boost growth: Willis
Economy

‘Modest’ business tax measure to boost growth: Willis

Global trade turmoil has made the Budget harder to write.

Restoring flights to regional NZ: why it’s so hard
Policy

Restoring flights to regional NZ: why it’s so hard

Is it time to treat marginal regional air routes as a public policy issue?

Pattrick Smellie 15 May 2025
What's a life worth? Depends on the department
Policy

What's a life worth? Depends on the department

A consultancy argues different values of life are leading to an underinvestment in health.

Dileepa Fonseka 14 May 2025