9037 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

9037 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: 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, if any, how many employees who are set to lose their roles have a focus on working with Māori?

Hon Louise Upston: The Māori, Communities and Partnerships group within the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) accepted five voluntary redundancies from across two teams that focus on working with Māori and Pasefika. These teams, Māori Partnerships and Programmes and Pacific and Community Capability Programmes undertake a broad range of partnership initiatives on behalf of the Ministry and will continue to focus on improving outcomes for these populations. The Māori, Communities and Partnerships group are not pursing any change consultation or targeted role reductions at this time.