PSC confirms ongoing workforce consultation, maintains DEI commitment
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is proposing changes to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team in a move that a union says will cost the agency essential roles amid persisting gender and ethnic pay gaps in the public service.
A net loss of six roles is expected from PSC's proposed workforce changes, according to the Public Service Association (PSA), New Zealand's largest trade union.
The proposal will affect workers who support employee-led networks and DEI practitioners across public service organisations in building fair representation in the workforce.
Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, said the cuts come amid persisting gender and ethnic pay gaps in the public service.
As of June 2025, the gender pay gap in the public service is at 5.9%, with the average salary at $107,200 for men and $100,900 for women. This is the lowest gap recorded since measurement began in 2000, according to the PSC.
When it comes to ethnic pay gaps, the Māori pay gap increased slightly to 4.9% in 2025 from the record-low 4.8% recorded a year prior.
The Asian pay gap decreased to 13.0%, while the Pacific pay gap has also increased slightly to 17.3% in 2025.
"We've come a long way towards closing gender and ethnic pay gaps in the public service, for example, but the gaps are still there," Leo said.
"The public service needs a strong central team at Te Kawa Mataaho with specialist knowledge to keep building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce."
Consultations confirmed
The PSC has confirmed that it is consulting its staff on workforce changes, but maintained its commitment to advancing DEI.
"The Commission remains committed to delivering diversity, equity, and inclusion work across the Public Service," said Alex Chadwick, the Public Service Commission's Deputy Chief Executive, Workforce, in a statement to HRD.
"We are considering a proposal to reshape how that work is delivered within available funding and to reflect a maturing system in which agencies are now more capable of leading their own DEI work."
The PSC did not disclose details on the number of employees affected by the proposal, and said no final decisions have been made.
Public Service Amendment Bill
The changes at PSC also come after the passing of a new Public Service Amendment Bill that removes the requirement that the public service should "reflect the communities it serves."
It also removes the requirement for chief executives to have employment policies recognising the importance of pay equity.
Leo said New Zealand will benefit from a public service that is "informed by the expertise and experience" of people from diverse communities that it serves.
"The Government's culture-war scaremongering has no basis in reality, and now it's making it harder for public services to deliver for all New Zealanders," he said.
