Ministry for Culture and Heritage confirms job cutting proposal

Author: Azaria Howell,
Publish Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2024, 11:34AM

More than 1300 jobs are facing the chop from Government departments as officials scramble to find $1.5 billion in savings across the public service.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is looking at a change proposal that would see a net loss of 11 roles.

It had 184 staff as of last year. Director Office of the Secretary Stacey Richardson confirmed that included a number of fixed term positions “that have ended or are due to end by 30 June 2024 as they relate to time limited work that is coming to an end.”

The current proposal would see its 161 FTE [fulltime equivalents] reduced to 150, a net loss of 7 per cent of staff.

“We will not provide any further comment while we are consulting with our staff. No decisions have been made,” Richardson said.

The Film Commission is also believed to be facing job losses.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has confirmed 286 fulltime equivalent roles (FTEs) have been removed in the past few months and has not ruled out more cuts.

The ministry is looking at 7.5 per cent cost savings, in response to a directive from the Government.

The Herald has previously reported the agency has been looking to cut spending by roughly $412.5 million.

MBIE had confirmed 111 people were approved for voluntary redundancy in mid-March, with the Herald revealing the ministry had extended its voluntary redundancy timeframe by one week, the day after applications were due to end.

MBIE today confirmed, including the 111 voluntary redundancies, 286 FTEs have been removed from the ministry’s systems within a three-month timeframe from the end of December.

A statement from MBIE deputy secretary of corporate services, finance and enablement Richard Griffiths said the removal of 87 of these roles was due to stop-work notices, disestablishment and repeal of legislation.

Griffiths said formal change processes are under way “that propose further FTE reductions” in a number of teams, including the Digital Data and Insights Group, Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery Group and the Employment Services and Engagement and Experience branches.

The proposals are subject to a formal consultation process, and the plans are considered “active change processes”.

Following confirmation 111 people were accepted for the ministry’s first voluntary redundancy scheme, MBIE put a second scheme in place.

Not all who applied for voluntary redundancy were approved. Decisions on the second round of voluntary redundancies are expected next week.

Griffiths added that further formal change processes are “likely” as the ministry works to streamline its operations and seeks out further efficiencies.

“MBIE is taking a measured approach to workforce reduction across our organisation. Retention of the appropriate levels of specialised skills and capability will enable us to continue to deliver to the scale and breadth of the Government’s work programmes and maintain service delivery to New Zealanders.”

During the election campaign, the Act Party wanted to issue “stop-work notices” to MBIE staff and halve the ministry’s headcount, even conducting a press conference outside the ministry’s Wellington office.

The confirmation of role reductions at MBIE, with further potentially on the line, comes after a big week for public sector agencies, with the looming axe appearing clearer and clearer by the day as the clock ticks down to May 30 - Budget Day.

The Herald has previously reported internal communications from the ministry, with its corporate services and finance group told commentary about job cuts can be “unsettling” for workers. MBIE had earlier been considering roles that were under recruitment and would only replace people who were seen as “business-critical” who leave the ministry.

MBIE’s deputy secretary of building, resources and markets Paul Stocks acknowledged workers had been feeling “tired and also worried” about how workloads will be managed with fewer people.

Earlier this week, cost-saving proposals were announced at the Ministry for the Environment, Callaghan Innovation and Crown Research Institute Niwa.

Also today, the Department of Conservation (DoC) joined the growing list of public service agencies confirming slashes to spending and potentially showing employees the door.

DoC has been directed to find 6.5 per cent savings from its budget.

In a statement to NZME, DoC confirmed it has been “identifying areas where we could cut back” and is in a consultation process with its people.

“We have tried to find options that would have the least impact overall on people and on conservation outcomes.”

The department confirmed proposals include a reduction of 130 roles overall. The Public Service Association [PSA], a union representing public servants, announced DoC was proposing to slash 270 jobs and create 140 - 101 jobs proposed to be cut are currently vacant.

The PSA suggests DoC needs to find another $7.2m to meet cost pressures. National secretary Duane Leo suggested the cuts would leave a “damaging legacy for years to come”, as the department could lose experienced people, alongside environmental protection and economic gains from the tourism industry.

The Department of Internal Affairs is looking at confirming its cost-saving proposals on Friday.

Azaria Howell is a Wellington-based multimedia reporter with an eye across the region. She joined NZME in 2022 and has a keen interest in city council decisions, public service agency reform and transport.

This article was originally published on the NZ Herald here.