Critics slate MFAT plan

Distressed Kiwis who find themselves in strife abroad will have to dial a call centre in New Zealand for help, under new proposals.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry (MFAT) staff yesterday learned 305 jobs would be slashed in restructuring that will save $20 million to $25m a year. About 600 of the more than 1420 staff will have to reapply for their posts.

Outlining plans to make MFAT ‘‘flexible, fit-forpurpose and deeply expert’’, chief executive John Allen said there would be greater use of technology and the contracting out of services.

Among the reforms is a 24-hour consular hotline staffed by a private firm based in New Zealand.

‘‘There are heaps of organisations that do this. There is no reason at all why is can’t be successful for us,’’ Allen said. More complex queries would be directed to embassy staff.

‘‘The thinking there is . . . that people will get a consistent service that will be able to log and manage and triage calls in an appropriate way.’’

He signalled further job losses with a ‘‘reshaping’’ of human resources, IT and property. ‘‘There will be opportunities for reduction in staff as consequence of that.’’

Opposition MPS, unions and former diplomats blasted the plans which they say could leave New Zealanders stranded overseas without adequate support.

Labour’s foreign affairs spokesman Phil Goff said he had seen documents which proposed the outsourcing of consular services, such as hospital and prison visits.

The document, to heads of mission and other senior staff, outlines an option to use commercial providers or engaging honorary consul in some countries.

‘‘It’s appalling. This is exactly where, as a Kiwi, you have a right to receive assistance from your country in your hour of need,’’ he said.

Green party foreign affairs spokesman Kennedy Graham said the restructuring appeared aimed at replacing foreign policy staff with those who would put business interests first.

Former diplomat Terence O’brien said the plan would leave Kiwis ‘‘high and dry’’.

As well as making political and trade contacts, part of an embassy’s duty was ‘‘assisting New Zealanders who have run out of money, who have had money stolen or got themselves into a scrape. They have a right to expect a New Zealand voice or person will materialise.’’

Public Service Association assistant national secretary Jeff Osborne said severe cuts would damage New Zealand’s interests overseas and make it look ‘‘cheap-rate’’.