30 August 2013

DOC job cuts went too far

New figures showing 250 vacancies in the new Department of Conservation (DOC) structure shows how deeply flawed the restructuring exercise has been, the Green Party said today.

DOC today released figures that show they are now seeking to fill 250 vacancies. This follows the restructuring announced earlier this year which cut 110 jobs.

“With so many vacancies, the restructuring has obviously created enormous churn and stress in the Department. It has resulted in the loss of 110 staff who have taken with them a lot of skill, expertise and institutional knowledge,” said Green Party conservation spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

“250 vacant positions means the job cuts have been too severe. It means a huge amount of practical conservation work won't be done over the next six months until the positions are filled.

“This high level of vacancies will hobble the Department's work when our threatened species and protected areas need a high performing Department.

“The restructure has been bad for morale and as a result, the Department appears to have haemorrhaged staff.

“Staff have voted with their feet and chosen to leave an organisation which now has a confused purpose and a clumsy structure to manage our conservation estate, which covers a third of land in New Zealand.

“It is an enormous challenge for the incoming Director General Lou Sanson to overcome the major shortfall in conservation expertise which the loss of 110 experienced staff and 250 now vacant positions represents.

“This restructure is costing $13 million, money that is desperately needed to protect the survival of our iconic native birds like the kiwi, kaka and kokako,” said Ms Sage.

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