A former associate finance minister believes public sector job cuts are needed to grow the economy. 

Latest Public Service Commission data shows the core workforce reduced by four percent in the year to December 2024.  

The Tertiary Education Commission, Archives New Zealand, and Department of Corrections yesterday earmarked further cuts. 

But former Minister Sir Lockwood Smith told Andrew Dickens the sector has got productivity problems. 

He says there's so much unproductive work going on by well-meaning good people, who lack focus on what's needed to deliver an effective workforce. 

A former associate finance minister believes public sector job cuts are needed to grow the economy.&nbsp;
Latest Public Service Commission data shows the core workforce reduced by four percent in the year to December 2024. &nbsp;
The Tertiary Education Commission, Archives New Zealand, and Department of Corrections yesterday earmarked further cuts.&nbsp;
But former Minister Sir Lockwood Smith told Andrew Dickens the sector has got productivity problems.&nbsp;
He says there's so much unproductive work going on by well-meaning good people, who lack focus on what's needed to deliver an effective workforce.&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Sir Lockwood Smith: Former Associate Finance Minister on cuts to consultancy spending in the public service

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0bf56fcf-9a85-41b3-b65c-b2ad011cc02f/transcript

The Finance Minister's set to announce details of cost relief measures for low-to-middle households today. 

Nicola Willis announced the support package would be on its way - in response to the Iran war and fuel crisis. 

Transporting NZ CEO Dom Kalasih shares his thoughts with Ryan Bridge on the Government lowering the quality specifications for imports to match Australia. 

The Finance Minister's set to announce details of cost relief measures for low-to-middle households today.&nbsp;
Nicola Willis announced the support package would be on its way - in response to the Iran war and fuel crisis.&nbsp;
Transporting NZ CEO Dom Kalasih shares his thoughts with Ryan Bridge on the Government lowering the quality specifications for imports to match Australia.&nbsp;

Dom Kalasih: Transporting NZ CEO on the Government announcing cost relief measures to tackle fuel crisis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/63316d72-476e-4fbb-aafc-b416011c8d44/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 24th of March 2025, the Government's announced its first change to help us from running out of fuel, Transporting NZ CEO and Former Z Energy Logistics Manager Dom Kalasih shares his thoughts. 

NZ Cricket's made the decision to move ahead with NZ20, NZ Herald Sports Journalist Alex Powell tells Ryan what this means for the game. 

Fonterra's posted a $750 million profit; Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson shares his thoughts. 

Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on fuel shortages across the ditch and thousands of journalists at the ABC are going on strike from Wednesday. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 24th of March 2025, the Government's announced its first change to help us from running out of fuel, Transporting NZ CEO and Former Z Energy Logistics Manager Dom Kalasih shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
NZ Cricket's made the decision to move ahead with NZ20, NZ Herald Sports Journalist Alex Powell tells Ryan what this means for the game.&nbsp;
Fonterra's posted a $750 million profit; Fonterra Co-operative Council Chair John Stevenson shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, Australia Correspondent Lesley Yeomans has the latest on fuel shortages across the ditch and thousands of journalists at the ABC are going on strike from Wednesday.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 24 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b1ebac2e-f5eb-4565-97c8-b416011a9461/transcript

Anyone expecting a lolly scramble from the government today is going to be disappointed.

At best, one or two old Werther's Originals.

As we’ve been talking about for the last few weeks, this government can’t, politically, splash cash when oil’s forcing inflation up.

The $60 billion borrowed and spent during the pandemic, half not actually on COVID expenses, was fuel on the fire to an already raging inflation inferno. 

The Reserve Bank and government were both blowing into the same sail. It got us up on the foils for a while but ultimately just delayed the pain we’re now still feeling.

The new Governor, imported from Sweeden, will give a key speech later this morning after the market opens with a hint of how they’ll react to the latest international catastrophe to reach our shores.

Any whiff of central government is planning to borrow and spend to cushion the blow would complicate her job.

The reality is, when the shite hits the fan, things get messy. Somebody has to pay. There is no free ride, no free bus. No free train.

If we don’t pay today, we’ll pay tomorrow. 

And let’s not forget, we’re now officially on notice from at least one of the big rating agencies. 

We need to be cutting, not borrowing. 

Balancing the books, not setting them in fire. Again. 

Anyone expecting a lolly scramble from the government today is going to be disappointed.
At best, one or two old Werther's Originals.
As we’ve been talking about for the last few weeks, this government can’t, politically, splash cash when oil’s forcing inflation up.
The $60 billion borrowed and spent during the pandemic, half not actually on COVID expenses, was fuel on the fire to an already raging inflation inferno.&nbsp;
The Reserve Bank and government were both blowing into the same sail. It got us up on the foils for a while but ultimately just delayed the pain we’re now still feeling.
The new Governor, imported from Sweeden, will give a key speech later this morning after the market opens with a hint of how they’ll react to the latest international catastrophe to reach our shores.
Any whiff of central government is planning to borrow and spend to cushion the blow would complicate her job.
The reality is, when the shite hits the fan, things get messy. Somebody has to pay. There is no free ride, no free bus. No free train.
If we don’t pay today, we’ll pay tomorrow.&nbsp;
And let’s not forget, we’re now officially on notice from at least one of the big rating agencies.&nbsp;
We need to be cutting, not borrowing.&nbsp;
Balancing the books, not setting them in fire. Again.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Don't expect a lolly scramble from the Government

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c18c3d09-d7c7-41d5-9a5c-b41601191cf8/transcript

Sir Lockwood Smith: Former Associate Finance Minister on cuts to consultancy spending in the public service

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