Wednesday, 24 April 2024 14:25

Cut with care

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.

Given the 34% blowout in the size of the Wellington bureaucracy in recent years, The Hound is all for it.

Between 2017 and 2023, ten departments increased staff numbers by more than 64%.

As for growth in absolute numbers, MBIE led the way at 2917 new staff.

MPI added 1300, so will no doubt be looked at.

All the same, despite the need for savings, it was pleasing to hear Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard say frontline biosecurity services at MPI will not be cut.

This is vital to defending our biggest export earner.

Cuts to MPI, if any, will need to be chosen very carefully.

More like this

Election 2026: How Parties Would Lift the Arable Sector

As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:

Sensible Choices About Water

OPINION: Rivers never sit still. They start as snowmelt and rain in the high country, pick up a creek here and a stream there, and carry all of it down to where it's needed.

Let Farmers Decide What They Farm

OPINION: Well, the silly season is upon us and all us politicians are running around shaking babies and kissing hands, or maybe the other way around.

Rural Vote Debate on Q&A: Substance or Just Platitudes?

It was billed as a chance for all the political parties to woo the rural vote, but question marks hang over just how effective this was.

Freshwater Farm Plan Changes Welcomed by Primary Sector

There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's announcement on changes to freshwater farm plans that come under the Natural Environment Bill, which is now set to replace the existing RMA.

Featured

Massey Aims To Be the Primary Sector’s University Partner

Massey University vice chancellor Pierre Venter says his institute is moving from a period of austerity into a growth phase, based on their new strategy.

Lockwood Smith: Red Meat Needs More Product Research

With the red meat sector going through a boom time with high prices, the time is right for the industry to step up its investment into developing new food products.

MIA Chief Executive Nick Beeby on Meat Industry Challenges and Cooperation

Meat Industry Association chief executive Nick Beeby says there’s now much closer cooperation between meat processing companies than there was many years ago.

Hectre Opens Auckland Lab for Hyperspectral Fruit Research

A new fruit quality research laboratory has been opened in Auckland by agritech company Hectre to develop pioneering hyperspectral technology.

Groundswell on Freshwater Rules, Paris Agreement and AgriZeroNZ

Farmer lobby Groundswell believes that farmers are worried about the implications of a potential centre-left government.

Federated Farmers Urges Farmers to Vote on November 7

With less than a week to go before voters choose the next government, Federated Farmers has a simple message to its members - get out and vote.

National

Year 11 Agriculture and Horticultural Science to Go Standalone

Students will be able to study Agriculture and Horticultural Science from Year 11, creating a clear pathway into Years 12…

Vets: Move Fireworks From Backyards to Licensed Public Displays

With fireworks on sale from today and the election five days away, the NZ Veterinary Association says the issue deserves…

Farmlands More Than Doubles Pre-Tax Profit

Farmlands has reported higher operating earnings and a profit before income tax of $4.5 million, up 118.9%, for the year…

AgriZeroNZ Backs Methane Vaccine and Low-Emissions Ryegrass

AgriZeroNZ has invested a further NZ$17.7 million in methane vaccine developer ArkeaBio and NZ$5.1 million in BioLumic, a New Zealand-founded…

Federated Farmers Welcomes ACT’s New Farming Policies

Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.

Machinery & Products

Massey Ferguson to Add Compact Tractors in ITL partnership

Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors,…