7581 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Customs

7581 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Customs: In the Minister’s departments, ministries and agencies for which savings have been identified, are any roles set to be disestablished resulting from the Government’s directive to reduce expenditure in the public service, if so, what percentage of employees who are set to lose their roles are located in the West Coast Region, if any?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that these decisions are the responsibility of the Comptroller of the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs). However, I am aware that Customs has publicly confirmed that 33 staff have accepted voluntary redundancy or enhanced early retirement. Of the 33 staff that have accepted voluntary redundancy or enhanced early retirement: 15 positions are based in Auckland Nine positions are based in Wellington Seven positions are based in Christchurch Two positions are based in Dunedin. Customs is currently in consultation with staff over further proposed organisational changes to meet required cost savings and future cost pressures. Final decisions on any roles to be disestablished as part of this process will be made once consultation has been completed and all feedback from staff has been assessed. This is also my response to parliamentary written question 7582 (2024), 7584 (2024), 7586 (2024), 7591 (2024), 7721 (2024), 7724 (2024), 7728 (2024), 7787 (2024), 7865 (2024), 7875 (2024), 7883 (2024), 7952 (2024), 8006 (2024), 8018 (2024), 8030 (2024), and 8031 (2024).