Articles tagged with Public Service
Health Minister Simeon Brown Welcomes New Health NZ Staff Pay Agreement
4 days ago | 49 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 4,400 Health New Zealand staff represented by the Public Service Association, recognizing their vital role in supporting frontline health services. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump-sum payment, and enhanced on-call and after-hours allowances. This ratification brings the total number of Health New Zealand employees covered by collective agreements to around 20,000, ensuring staff certainty and continued quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand Public Service Association PSA PAKS APEX collective agreement frontline teams pay increaseNew Collective Agreements Boost Salaries and Support for NZ Public Health Nurses
2 weeks ago | 174 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of new collective agreements for approximately 3,500 Public Health and Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand, which include salary increases, lump sum payments, and enhanced professional development allowances. The agreements also commit to recruiting over 550 additional nursing positions to strengthen frontline services. This follows recent approvals of agreements for other health sector workers, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure staff support and quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Public Service Association Public Health Nurses Mental Health Nurses Health New Zealand Nurse Practitioners APEX pharmacy APEX psychologists APEX dietitiansEducation Minister Erica Stanford Welcomes New Primary Principals’ Pay Deal
3 weeks ago | 225 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford has announced the successful renewal of the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement, ratified by NZEI members, covering around 1,300 primary principals. The settlement includes immediate and future pay increases, a $15,000 Curriculum Change Allowance, and an increased Leadership in Literacy and Numeracy payment, recognizing principals' leadership during educational reforms. Stanford emphasized the importance of principals' roles in schools and communities and thanked the Public Service Commissioner for facilitating the negotiations.
Tags: Erica Stanford NZEI Te Riu Roa Primary Principals Brian Roche Public Service Commissioner PPCA Education Minister Curriculum Change Allowance Leadership in Literacy and Numeracy Primary Principals’ Collective AgreementHealth Minister Welcomes New Pay Deal for 12,300 Health NZ Workers
3 weeks ago | 180 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 12,300 Allied, Public Health, Scientific, and Technical workers represented by the Public Service Association. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump sum payment, a new pay scale for Sterile Sciences Technicians, and a $400,000 professional development fund. This settlement follows recent approvals for other health sector agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in workforce negotiations.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Allied Health Public Health Scientific Technicians Public Service Association Health New Zealand APEX Pharmacy APEX Psychologists Sterile Sciences TechniciansUpdated Public Sector Code of Conduct Enhances Integrity and Accountability
1 month ago | 287 viewsPublic Service Minister Judith Collins announced an updated Code of Conduct to enhance integrity, accountability, and professionalism across New Zealand's Public Sector. The new Code, based on public service values and informed by the 2025 Public Service Census, introduces standards on merit-based appointments, workplace culture, and respectful behavior, supported by mandatory training and election guidance. The Code will take effect in March 2026, with resources available on the Public Service Commission website and the Leadership Development Centre.
Tags: Judith Collins Public Sector Public Service Commission Code of Conduct Integrity Public Service Census Leadership Development Centre Workplace Culture General Election Guidance2026 Budget Preview: Focus on Core Services and Fiscal Responsibility
1 month ago | 320 viewsThe Government will present its 2026 Budget on 28 May, focusing on supporting core public services such as health care, education, defence, and law and order. Finance Minister Nicola Willis emphasizes tight control of discretionary spending, prioritizing limited commitments without excessive expenditure. The Budget aims to deliver savings and reprioritize existing funds to maintain essential services while restoring fiscal responsibility.
Tags: Government 2026 Budget Finance Minister Nicola Willis public services health care education defence law and order public financesNew Zealand Government Launches Digital Agency to Boost Efficiency and Cut IT Costs
3 months ago | 461 viewsThe New Zealand Government is modernising digital services by simplifying and coordinating IT systems through logical groupings of agencies sharing common platforms to reduce duplication and improve efficiency. A new Government Digital Delivery Agency will be established under the Public Service Commission to centralise digital investment and procurement, potentially saving $3.9 billion over five years. These reforms aim to make government services simpler, faster, and more cost-effective, supporting fiscal discipline, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Government Digital Services Public Service Commission Government Digital Delivery Agency Government Chief Digital Officer IT Systems Digital Investment Public Sector Efficiency Technology SpendACC Minister Thanks Outgoing CEO Megan Main for Dedicated Service
3 months ago | 357 viewsMinister Scott Simpson thanked outgoing ACC Chief Executive Megan Main for her leadership since 2021, highlighting her extensive public service experience and focus on improving client outcomes. Megan Main chose not to renew her contract after four years, during which she worked to strengthen service delivery amid significant organizational changes. The ACC Board will soon begin recruiting a new Chief Executive to continue restoring the Scheme’s commitment to fast and efficient rehabilitation for injured New Zealanders.
Tags: Scott Simpson Megan Main Accident Compensation Corporation New Zealand Chief Executive Managed Isolation and Quarantine Covid ACC Board public service rehabilitationNew Govt.nz App Launches for Secure, Easy Access to NZ Government Services
3 months ago | 365 viewsThe Government has launched the Govt. nz app to provide secure, convenient access to trusted government information and services via mobile phones. Initially offering customizable dashboards and emergency warnings, the app will soon include features like secure messaging and a digital wallet for identity credentials. Participation is optional, aiming to enhance a customer-focused, efficient, and future-ready digital public service while maintaining high safety standards.
Tags: Government app digital public service Judith Collins Govt. nz app National Emergency Management Agency NEMA Fire and Emergency New Zealand secure messagingGovernment Implements Strong Oversight Measures for New Zealand Police
4 months ago | 408 viewsThe New Zealand Government is responding to a critical report on the Police's handling of complaints against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming by establishing strong oversight through an Inspector-General of Police. The report highlighted serious issues within the former Police executive, leading to concerns about integrity and culture. The Government and Police are accepting and implementing recommendations to strengthen oversight, integrity processes, and code of conduct, emphasizing the importance of public trust in the Police force.
Tags: Government New Zealand Police Jevon McSkimming Judith Collins Mark Mitchell Independent Police Conduct Authority Public Service Commission probity checking Police oversightNew Zealand Government Boosts Crown Liquidity Facility for Local Government Financing
4 months ago | 577 viewsThe Government is increasing and extending the Crown Liquidity Facility (CLF) for the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited (LGFA) to support local government borrowing. The CLF helps LGFA secure competitively priced financing for local authorities during exceptional circumstances. The facility, established in 2011 and never used, is being raised to $3 billion and extended to June 2037 to assist in financing critical infrastructure and public services.
Tags: Government Crown Liquidity Facility New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited Finance Minister Nicola Willis financing infrastructure public services Global Financial Crisis councilsGovernment Ministers Urge Unions to Call Off Unfair Strikes for the Sake of Students and Patients
5 months ago | 504 viewsPublic Service Minister Judith Collins criticizes the proposed strike as unfair, unproductive, and unnecessary, urging for its cancellation due to the negative impact on patients with canceled appointments, students missing school, and upcoming exams for NCEA-level students. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlights the government's efforts to increase salaries for teachers, emphasizing the rejection of the latest offer by the PPTA. Health Minister Simeon Brown discusses the rejected offer for senior doctors, highlighting their current remuneration and proposed salary increases, while also mentioning the proposed fund for addressing workforce shortages.
Tags: strike Public Service Minister Judith Collins Education Minister Erica Stanford negotiations unions Health Minister Simeon Brown Senior Doctors Registered Nurses industrial actionSolicitor-General Una Jagose to Step Down After 10 Years of Service: Attorney-General Collins Expresses Gratitude
5 months ago | 476 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced Solicitor-General Una Jagose KC will resign in February after 10 years, praising her service. Jagose, who took office in 2016 after a distinguished 35-year public service career, received recognition for her efforts. The Solicitor-General serves as the Junior Law Officer of the Crown and Chief Executive of the Crown Law Office, with the Public Service Commission overseeing the selection of a successor.
Tags: Judith Collins Una Jagose KC Public Service Commission Crown Law Office Junior Law Officer appointment process lawyer leader public service.Government Saves $915 Million on Consultants, Boosts Frontline Roles
5 months ago | 554 viewsIn the past two years, the New Zealand government has reduced spending on contractors and consultants by $915 million, exceeding their savings target of $400 million. This reduction has been accompanied by a decrease in the size of the public service by nearly 5%, with a focus on increasing frontline roles while cutting back-office positions. The emphasis has shifted towards prioritizing savings in back-office functions to protect and enhance frontline services, resulting in 1533 redundancies and $80.4 million in redundancy payments in the past year.
Tags: Public Service Minister Judith Collins frontline roles public service contractors consultants savings Government redundancies New Zealanders restructureEmpowering Sexual Harassment Complainants in Public Service: Strengthened Support and Dignity Standards Released by Minister Judith Collins
5 months ago | 517 viewsPublic Service Minister Judith Collins announces strengthened standards to support sexual harassment complainants in the public service, emphasizing dignity and rights. The new guidelines, titled "Your Complaint, Your Rights," outline the support and rights available to complainants when reporting harassment. The improvements aim to enhance the handling of complaints and ensure that individuals who come forward are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, drawing on feedback from the Public Service Commission and the recent Public Service Census.
Tags: sexual harassment public service standards Judith Collins complainants dignity support bullying discrimination speaking up