[UNCLASSIFIED]

Media Release

23 February 2012

Change Proposals for Staff Consultation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released to staff a series of proposed changes in the way the Ministry wants to carry out its key tasks in the future.

“Staff have a month to provide comments on the proposals and their views will be considered carefully before decisions are made,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chief Executive John Allen.
“The changes proposed replace out-dated administrative processes and systems. They will allow foreign policy, trade and consular staff to concentrate on the jobs they do best and represent the interests of New Zealand and New Zealanders more effectively.”

“The world in which we operate, and the interests of New Zealand have been changing dramatically. Where we concentrate our efforts, the way in which we carry out our tasks and the tools we use to carry them out have to change as well.

“I expect the changes to improve the ability of our highly professional foreign policy and consular staff to carry out their jobs. They will be able to focus on key tasks rather than use valuable time and energy on tasks that are best done by others. The Ministry will be a better place to work and the interests of this country and New Zealanders travelling and working overseas will be better served as a result.”

The changes would reduce the number of staff required by the Ministry. Most staff potentially affected are in support or administrative positions. The total number of roles allocated to the Ministry’s New Zealand staff here and overseas would be reduced by 169. Of these, 58 are currently vacant. In addition 27 new roles would be created for which staff affected by the reductions could apply. Overseas roles for locally engaged staff would be reduced by 136.

“While we are a small country with limited resources, as a trading nation we have interests that must be represented all over the world. The changes recognise that the nature of those interests and priorities evolve as trade flows change and new international issues emerge.

“The Ministry also recognises that we must be part of the drive to ensure that public services are delivered as effectively as possible and we use resources carefully. The proposed changes are expected to result in savings of $20-25 million per annum once the changes are fully implemented.”

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