Where the axe should fall on senior leaders – scale matters

Where the axe should fall on senior leaders – scale matters
Corrections boss Jeremy Lightfoot leads the largest and leanest public service department. (Image: NZME)
Jem Traylen
Finance and public service minister Nicola Willis is looking at whether agencies are overloaded with senior managers. Jem Traylen wraps up her dive into public service jobs data.Smaller government agencies tend to have a much higher proportion of senior leader roles, suggesting there are significant economies of scale in management structures.Agencies with a higher proportion of policy analysts also tend to have a higher proportion of senior leader roles than those more operationally focused.This is based on data published by the Public Service...

More Policy

US helicopter purchases 'not connected' to tariffs: Peters
Policy

US helicopter purchases 'not connected' to tariffs: Peters

Defence Minister Collins said the Government looked at "all available options".

Gregor Thompson 21 Aug 2025
Port of Auckland gets first fast-track approvals
Policy

Port of Auckland gets first fast-track approvals

The port is undertaking wharf expansions to make it big ship capable. 

Oliver Lewis 21 Aug 2025
New rules to press gentailers on ‘super-peak’ price relief
Policy

New rules to press gentailers on ‘super-peak’ price relief

Mandatory non-discrimination rules are coming for power sales to rivals.

Pattrick Smellie 19 Aug 2025
Auckland Council proposes downzoning 12,000 properties
Policy

Auckland Council proposes downzoning 12,000 properties

The council is also proposing to enable 10-15 storey apartments around more than 40 hubs.

Oliver Lewis 19 Aug 2025