MBIE’s latest voluntary redundancies brings total job reduction to 341

Monday, 6 May 2024

Last week, MBIE accepted 59 applications for voluntary redundancy, which was 55.4 full time equivalent positions.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has accepted another 59 applications for voluntary redundancies, bringing its total drop in roles to more than 341 fulltime positions.

Deputy Secretary Richard Griffiths said that number included “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”.

The first round of voluntary redundancies had 111 applications accepted, which was 104 fulltime equivalent positions. MBIE then opened up voluntary redundancies to groups not included the first time around. Last week, MBIE accepted 59 applications, which was 55.4 fulltime equivalent positions.

Griffiths said while restructures were still active at MBIE, “our focus is on supporting our people impacted by these processes”.

The Post understands further changes for MBIE were signed off by senior leadership, meaning some areas of work and programmes have already or will be stopped.

The Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit (Kānoa), previously named the Provincial Development Unit, is among those groups going through a change proposal due to changes in funding and government priorities.

It follows a series of reductions and proposed reductions, the Ministry of Education looking to reduce its workforce by 755 ‒ 190 more than it proposed in April.

Kāinga Ora proposed to cut 130 roles and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was proposing a 10.4% workforce reduction, which would cut 30 jobs and an additional 10 vacant roles.

Meanwhile, Stats NZ opened up voluntary redundancies to staff. It follows 29 job losses in December.

Earlier, Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development, proposed an 8% reduction with 38 roles to be disestablished.

*An earlier version of this story has been corrected, with the headline previously saying the total number of jobs was 314, instead of 341.