Internal Affairs latest to target jobs

The Department of Internal Affairs is proposing to shake up the majority of its branches, which could see 28 jobs go.

A spokesperson said 28 staff in its the Māori, Strategy and Performance branch and the indexing team of the National Library could be affected.

The Public Service Association said DIA was proposing to fully outsource commercial legal work, with national secretary Duane Leo calling it “short-sighted” and saying the move would “end up costing taxpayers more in the long run”.

The roles proposed to go in the Māori, Strategy and Performance branch include five in the legal team, two which are vacant, nine roles in its Enterprise Portfolio Management Office, five that are vacant, and four roles in its communication team.

A spokesperson for the Department of Internal Affairs confirmed the proposal was part of the response to cost saving targets. “People changes account for less than half of the savings we have identified, with 60% of the required savings found in efficiencies and curtailing expenditure.”

Other changes in the department will be announced by the middle of May.

At the start of March, the Department of Internal Affairs confirmed there would be “organisational change” affecting positions and staff. It has closed longer term vacancies and is “carefully considering every recruitment decision”.

DIA also confirmed there had been a reduction of staff due to the water reform law being repealed.

The number of staff working on the water services transition unit was at 427 as at October last year.

Since then, the Government repealed the reforms, with most of the positions ending last month.

“As at 11 April 2024, the number of staff working on water services for the Department stood at 60, including 43 on fixed term contracts. This number will continue to fall in coming weeks, with remaining

National Transition Unit staff due to finish up by the end of April,” a spokesperson said.

“Some staff working on water services policy, legislation, and stewardship will be retained to support the implementation of Local Water Done Well. These staff are currently on fixed term contracts until June.”

Also on Friday, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora chairwoman Dame Karen Poutasi, who only started in the role last July, tendered her resignation.

Health Minister Shane Reti said he asked Poutasi to stay in the role until May so he had time to find and appoint her replacement.

“Dame Karen has been a valued member of the Board since the establishment of Health New Zealand, before stepping into the Chair role,” he said.

“Her calmness and deep understanding of the sector has been invaluable throughout Health New Zealand’s establishment phase, and to me as Minister.”