Major job cuts loom at two Government ministries after a request from the Government to rein in costs.
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) both held meetings with staff to advise them of proposed role disestablishments.
MPI today began consulting with staff on a proposal to cut 384 positions.
The ministry confirmed in a statement that it is looking to "improve efficiency and deliver savings".
An email sent to staff by Director-General Ray Smith said MPI had been asked by the Government to find savings of 7.5%.
"The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and I have been working through credible savings options across our business units," he said.
"We have been carefully managing costs as part of this work, which includes significantly reducing our contractor and consultant spend and only filling some positions.
"Beyond this, we have been looking at both the programme and people resource costs of our operations."
Staff numbers will be reduced an estimated 9% by disestablishing a mix of existing vacancies and other roles, Smith said.
The proposal is an estimated net reduction of 384 positions. Around 40% are currently vacant.
MPI is tasked with growing and sustaining primary industries such as farming, forestry, fishing, wine and food production.
"We are not proposing any reductions to our frontline services and statutory roles, such as veterinarians, animal welfare, fishery and food compliance officers, or our biosecurity teams at the border.
"However, we are proposing changes to roles and reporting lines in other areas of MPI, including the disestablishment of some positions," said Smith.
Deputy director-generals would be holding meetings online and in person to talk through the change process and next steps, following which staff would be provided with a business unit consultation document.
'Difficult and unsettling time for Ministry of Health staff'
The Ministry of Health also held a staff update today to inform staff on the latest proposed changes.
"As part of the update, staff were provided with indicative timings for an upcoming consultation on a proposal for organisational change," said transformation management office director Geoff Short.
A proposal for organisational changes has yet to be finalised, with consultation running from April 5-26.
Short said the changes could affect just over a quarter of the Ministry's positions, around 180 roles.
"The full details of the proposed changes will be available to staff in the consultation document."
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