David Farrar: Public service numbers still falling

The latest FTE public service numbers shows a decline in the quarter of 583. This comes after two quarters of small growth, so it is pleasing to see the reduction was not a one off, but is ongoing.

The FTE level of 62,654 is 3,045 below the peak of 65,699 in Dec 23. That is a 4.6% reduction which is not nothing. However the PSA’s media fed campaign has convinced NZers it was far more – around 25%

Click to view - This shows the change over time.

Equally pleasing is the huge drop off in spending on contractors and consultants. This has dropped from $2.16 billion two years ago to $1.25b last year, which is a huge 42% reduction. That is $1 billion a year freed up for frontline services.

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders