7326 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Biosecurity

7326 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Biosecurity: In the Minister’s departments, ministries and agencies for which savings have been identified, resulting from the Government’s directive to reduce expenditure in the public service, what percentage of employees who are set to lose their roles are located in the Southland Region, if any?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: As part of the Budget 2024/25 programme, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was asked by the Government to find savings of 7.5 percent for the financial year starting 1 July 2024. I am advised that these decisions are the responsibility of the Chief Executive. However, I understand that MPI is not proposing any reductions to frontline services and statutory roles, such as veterinarians, animal welfare, fishery and food compliance officers, or biosecurity teams at the border. MPI has completed consultation with staff on change proposals and feedback is being taken into account in determining final decisions. No final decisions have been made.