ACT will restore one public service for all New Zealanders

“ACT will restore a public service based on merit, need, neutrality, and results,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“New Zealanders pay for the public service to deliver better education, healthcare, public safety, infrastructure, and essential government services. This Government has gone some way to fixing it with the Need not Race circular, but years of previous governments embedding co-governance and race-based approaches mean there is still much more to do.

“To unlock New Zealand’s potential we need one law for all, and one future together. That starts with a public service that treats people as individuals, hires the best people for the job, and delivers services according to need.

“ACT will reset the public service around the basic principles of equal treatment, individual freedom, political and religious neutrality, and accountability for results.

“First, ACT will end race-based hiring requirements by repealing section 73 of the Public Service Act and Section 118 of the Crown Entities Act. The public service should have the same employment rules as any other business. Health and safety, non-discrimination and and disability rights are already covered elsewhere in the law.

“Public service jobs should go to the best person for the job, regardless of race. Hiring and promotion should be based on merit, skills, experience, and what the role actually requires.

“Second, ACT will legally enforce need before race in the delivery of public services.

“There is already a Cabinet expectation that services should be delivered according to need rather than race. ACT will give that principle real teeth by writing it into the Public Service Act.

“Agencies will be required by law to follow the principle, and decisions that breach it could be challenged through judicial review.

“If two New Zealanders have the same need, they should be entitled to the same treatment from government.

“Third, ACT will separate spiritual practices from public service work.

“Nobody should be expected to take part in a prayer, karakia, or other spiritual practice because they work for the Government. Taxpayers should not be required to fund staff time or other resources for employer-initiated spiritual activity either.

“ACT will prohibit public service employers from initiating or resourcing cultural or spiritual practices as part of the workplace.

“Public servants will remain free to practise their own religion, culture, or traditions in their own time, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate.

“Fourth, ACT will remove irrelevant cultural requirements from public service jobs.

“A person applying to work for the Government should be judged on whether they can do the job, not their knowledge of particular cultural concepts, values, or worldviews unless there is a genuine occupational reason for doing so.

“ACT will direct public service agencies to remove those requirements from job advertisements and position descriptions where they are not relevant to the role, through a clear letter of expectations to the Public Service Commissioner and a Cabinet circular.

“ACT will ensure a public service capable of unlocking the potential of all New Zealanders. It will be neutral, professional, focused on results, and treat every person as an individual.”