New Zealand's public sector workforce size decreases, and spending on contractors and consultants falls by over $200m.

New Zealand's Public Service Commission data shows the public sector's workforce size has started to decrease after years of growth. Spending on contractors and consultants has fallen by over $200m, with the government aiming to claw back $400m annually from this spending. The workforce data for Q1 2024 indicates a 0.6% decrease (416 FTEs), with the minister expecting the impact of budget decisions to continue into the next financial year, resulting in further decreases.