MBIE's job losses hit 341: reports

Job losses at the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) have reached 341, with total public sector cuts going over 4,000 as of Monday, according to a tally from Radio New Zealand.

The MBIE recently accepted 59 voluntary redundancies, the RNZ reported on Monday, adding to the more than 280 jobs the ministry said it would reduce as part of cost-cutting measures in the public sector.

Richard Griffiths, MBIE deputy secretary, said the ministry is supporting staff who have been affected by the recent changes, adding that they are taking a "measured approach" to workforce reduction.

"A number of ongoing actions to actively manage the size of our workforce have contributed to this, including the removal of vacant positions, offering two limited voluntary redundancy processes, implementing stop work notices, legislation repeal and initiating a range of consultation and change processes," Griffiths said as quoted by RNZ.

Public sector layoffs

Various public sector entities across New Zealand have been announcing layoffs as part of the government's cost-cutting measures.

Agencies that saw their staff numbers go up by over 50% since 2017 were ordered to make 7.5% spending cuts, according to RNZ, while others were asked to cut 6.5%.

Among the organisations ordered to cut spending is the Ministry of Education, which proposed 565 cuts in its workforce.

Oranga Tamariki is also reportedly cutting nearly 450 jobs, which became even more controversial amid reports that it's also reducing over 20 specialist Māori roles.