Oranga Tamariki cutting hundreds of roles under proposal as public ...
Oranga Tamariki is proposing cutting hundreds of roles as public sector downsizing continues.
The net reduction of roles is 447 with 632 positions being disestablished, but 185 new positions being created.
Of the 632 roles, 24 percent are managerial roles, 34 percent are advisory roles and 29 percent are from the 'enabling services' function.
While 70 of the jobs being axed are vacant, the cuts still represent a 9 percent reduction in Oranga Tamariki's workforce.
Consultation on the proposed changes begins today and ends on May 15 with confirmation at the end of June.
Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive Chappie Te Kani said the proposed new structure is about moving the organisation towards the "kind of Ministry we need to be".
"I want to be clear. The change I am proposing is not about tinkering around the edges. This change goes to our core as a Ministry. It fundamentally moves us away from where we are..." Te Kani said.
"A Ministry that puts children at the centre of all we do. A Ministry who doesn’t just occasionally work with communities or sees devolution of decision-making and resources as optional, it makes it our BAU.
"A Ministry who is focused on our core purpose. And a place where people are empowered to do their jobs to the best of their ability."
Te Kani acknowledged "for some, this proposal will be a hard read".
"For the 632 people who may be affected by this proposal and whose role may change, it will be hardest.
"The change also delivers on the savings targets set by the Government. At this stage these are proposed changes, once consultation with staff is completed, final decisions will be made."
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins called the cuts "devasting" and accused the Government of having its priorities wrong.
"Devastating news for staff working with some of our most vulnerable children today. The people losing their jobs at Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Education do amazing work," Hipkins said on X.
"They have homes and families too. Once again we see how wrong this government’s priorities are."
Oranga Tamariki is the latest in a slew of public sector services to axe roles in an effort to meet the Government's mandated 6.5 to 7.5 percent cost cuts.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment recently announced it is proposing getting rid of up to 286 roles with further cuts possible.
The Department of Internal Affairs meanwhile is proposing axing more than 400 people, most of whom were working on Three Waters which will be gone by the middle of the year.
Additionally, earlier in the month the Ministry of Health revealed more than 100 jobs were being cut under a proposal.
