25951 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Customs

25951 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Customs: 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, what savings have been identified, as at 30 May 2024?

Hon Casey Costello: The New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) has identified $1.2 million per annum in baseline savings through Budget 2024. This represents 6.5 percent of applicable Crown funding. These savings were found through a review of discretionary expenditure, mainly related to contractors and consultants, travel, and non-essential training. In addition, I am advised that Customs is facing significant cost pressures over the coming years and is working through an organisational change process to ensure its structure is financially sustainable for the years ahead. As this process is still ongoing, it is not possible to quantify the savings that will be identified.