Anonymous1 day ago
New Zealand's government announced plans to cut approximately 8,700 public service jobs — a 14% reduction — by mid-2029, alongside sweeping agency mergers and mandated AI adoption, projecting $2.4 billion in savings. The overhaul, announced as part of Budget 2026 by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, has drawn fierce opposition from unions and Labour, who argue the cuts will devastate frontline services and disproportionately harm Māori, Pasifika, and women workers, while supporters say the public service had grown unsustainably since 2017.