Government Cuts Put 130 Jobs On The Line At Kāinga Ora, And 40 At HUD
The Government’s cuts to public services are targeting Kāinga Ora – the agency charged with fixing the public housing crisis – at a time when 25,000 people are on a waiting list for social housing, the PSA says.
To comply with the government’s cost cutting drive, Kāinga Ora is proposing to cut 130 roles net in change proposals announced to staff today, said Fleur Fitzsimons Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi Assistant Secretary.
As well it was announced today 40 roles are proposed to be cut at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which helps set policy and work programmes for housing and urban development.
The cuts at Kāinga Ora are rushed and ill considered, coming at a time when the country is facing a housing affordability crisis and before the results of an independent review of Kāinga Ora led by former Prime Minister Sir Bill English are known, Fitzsimons said.
The proposal says that further cuts could be needed as a result of the English review, which was to be completed by March.
The Government needs to release the review immediately as this reckless approach to change risks disjointed decision making and creates more distress and uncertainty for staff, Fitzsimons said.