The public service slims down, but pay rates rose faster than the private sector

The public service slims down, but pay rates rose faster than the private sector
Finance Minister Nicola Willis expects public servant numbers to continue to fall. (Image: NZME)
Jem Traylen
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the brakes have been put on contractor and consultant spending, while the number of public servants is expected to continue to fall.She was commenting on workforce data for the June year that the Public Service Commission released on Thursday.There has been a $274 million reduction in operational expenditure (Opex) on contractors and consultants by agencies that fall within the scope of its target of reducing the Opex by $400m. Heavy liftingHowever, the core public service departments did most of the heavy li...

More Policy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs
Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs

Pharmac's fixed budget discourages use of cost-saving medicines common elsewhere.

Pattrick Smellie 23 Oct 2025
RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks
Opinion

Andy Macdonald: RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks

The end result of the RBNZ’s capital review will be both revealing and fascinating.

Andy Macdonald 21 Oct 2025
Asset recycling: privatisation or better housekeeping
Policy

Asset recycling: privatisation or better housekeeping

On asset recycling, Silvana Schenone cites Marie Kondo rather than Milton Friedman.

Dileepa Fonseka 20 Oct 2025
Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs
Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs

Fee-free open banking and levies may deter banks from innovating with new tech.

Andy Macdonald 17 Oct 2025