Extra job losses at NZTA

The NZTA says another 38 jobs are set to be scrapped in addition to the 145 it has already proposed as part of cost-cutting measures in the public sector.

The transport agency is releasing job cut proposals in tranches. On May 28, it announced a net reduction of 33 in its system leadership team and five business support services. 

That takes its total job losses to 183, reports Radio NZ. More than 100 are from programmes that have been scrapped or downsized by the government, such as the clean car discount, climate emergency response fund and Let’s Get Wellington Moving.

Waka Kotahi’s announcement also tips RNZ’s calculation of public-sector job losses to more than 5,000.

Duane Leo, secretary of Public Service Association, believes the staff reductions will affect roles providing analysis and advice on road safety, and environment and sustainability.

“The government says road safety is still a priority, so considering letting go people involved in modelling and providing the evidence on how we can reduce road deaths doesn’t make sense,” he says.

“At the same time, the government wants bigger, faster roads despite the overwhelming need for New Zealanders to shift out of cars to other modes, such as public transport and cycling, if we are to tackle climate change effectively.

“We are seeing reckless cuts which will damage public services New Zealanders rely on to fund tax cuts for landlords and others. It’s just wrong that dedicated public servants are paying a price for this.” 

[Editor’s note: the image used with this story is from a Waka Kotahi presentation used at a job fair in April 2022]