Public Service Amendment Bill
This bill changes how New Zealand's public service works. It updates the job descriptions and responsibilities of agency bosses (called chief executives), adjusts how they are appointed and reviewed, reduces the number of long-term planning reports the public service must produce from many down to one, and gives a watchdog body (the Public Service Commissioner) new powers to ban certain technology products or suppliers if they pose a security risk. It also cuts the number of Deputy Commissioners from two to one.
What this affects
Tap a topic to see how this bill touches it, and the parts of the text that show it.
The bill requires public service bosses to focus on delivering services efficiently and getting value for money for New Zealanders.
the efficient and economical delivery of the goods or services provided by their agency, the performance of the regulatory functions for which their agency is responsible
the financial stewardship of their agency, including building and maintaining a financially literate workforce
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Governance and Administration Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 30 August 2025.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.