Act’s proposal for chief executive bonuses alarms experts

David Seymour named public sector efficiency as being at the top of his list of priorities. (Image: Getty)

Tue, 24 Oct 2023

The Act party’s proposal for ministers to award performance bonuses to chief executives has alarmed experts, who see it as undermining the political neutrality of the public service – one of the cornerstones of our system of government.As votes were being counted on Saturday, Act party leader David Seymour named public sector efficiency at the top of his list of key things it would be asking the National party for during coalition negotiations.His party’s policy includes setting key performance indicators (KPIs) for public ser...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Opinion

Eden Bradfield: Stewart’s Comvita bid ain’t that sweet

Honey firm’s takeover bid is hard to swallow.

Eden Bradfield 5:00am

On the Money

On the Money: Jason Walbridge, Julian Cook, Te Arikinui, and more

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Opinion

Simon Robertson: Gamification – it’s coming for you

How smart companies game your life to make money.

Simon Robertson 5:00am

Sponsored

Move-in ready offices: How business are rethinking workspace

Businesses want agility – and office space is evolving fast

Sponsored by Precinct Properties

Sponsored

NZ risks losing edge as Australia takes lead in cleaner jet fuel

Experts warn SAF delay could cost jobs and growth.

Z Energy

More Politics

Primary Sector

US$411b on the table: will NZ claim a slice?

Infrastructure will be a major focus of the NZ EU Summit, but Ukraine might be too.

Dileepa Fonseka 24 Oct 2025

News in Brief

Willis considered downgrading RBNZ governor status

Newly released Government documents show Finance Minister Nicola Willis sought urgent advice from Treasury on improving oversight of the Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ), following Adrian Orr’s messy resignation as governor in March.Treasury, which had been appalled by the bank’s reques...

Staff reporters 21 Oct 2025