Damien O’Connor

Primary Industries Spokesperson

20 December 2013             MEDIA STATEMENT

Nathan Guy’s Xmas gift – another restructure

Labour is calling on Nathan Guy to explain reports a last minute restructure at the Ministry for Primary Industries has left staff in tears on the eve of the Christmas holidays, Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor says.

“Labour understands a major restructuring proposal has put to managers at MPI that has left staff shell-shocked.

“Sources have told us this proposed restructure is being handled in a blunt and questionable manner. We have been told staff are being forced to take positions outside of New Zealand at short notice.

“This is desperate attempt by new director general Martin Dunne – who has only been in the role a month – to overhaul a huge unmanageable super ministry.

“This is third restructure after earlier reforms in 2011 and 2012 saw more than 200 positions axed in an attempt to save $18 million.

“The common thread here is each change has been overseen by the same incompetent minister, Nathan Guy.

“On top of this, we are told the joint border management system is performing poorly and has left New Zealand once again exposed to serious biosecurity risks.

“Nathan Guy should take full responsibility for yet more chaos at the ministry.

“It comes on the back of his woeful handling of Fonterra botulism scare and the meat on the wharves fiasco.

“Nathan Guy needs to show some thought to ministry staff whose lives are in upheaval five days out from Christmas.

“Instead he is frantically trying to avoid being restructured out of Cabinet in the Prime Minister’s upcoming reshuffle,” Damien O’Connor says.

ENDS

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