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The Conversation
The Conversation
Barbara Allen, Associate Professor in Public Management and Policy, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

The push for a smaller public service risks coming at a larger cost for New Zealanders

Marty Melville/Getty Images

Aotearoa New Zealand’s government is attempting one of the country’s largest public service reforms in decades – and betting artificial intelligence (AI) can help offset thousands of planned job cuts.

By any measure, the reforms announced by Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this week are wide-ranging. They would cut some 8,700 roles, merge departments and rapidly embed AI across government, making its use a basic expectation.

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