The Government’s deep and wide cuts to public service jobs have taken its toll on the housing market over the past year, as well as the lives of public service workers and public services.

Cotality NZ (formerly CoreLogic) latest home value index showed Wellington remaining the outlier, the only major metropolitan region experiencing big falls over the year (-5%) and over the last three months (-1%). There was also no change in house prices over June in Wellington.

"The deep wounds inflicted by the Government’s rushed job cuts have been laid bare by the impact on the housing market," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

"The Government not only cut jobs, but there remains a continued threat to the security of employment in Wellington.

"Insecure employment undermines the ability of people to make important life decisions like buying a house and starting a family.

"The cuts and proposed changes to personal grievance protections which amount to a fire at will approach will make it harder for people to commit to buying a home, putting down roots and having children.

"Lives have been turned upside down by this Government with little sympathy for the disruption it has caused.

"This is a heartless government which continues to think up new ways to erode the rights of workers and undermine the capability of the public service.

"Wellington’s economy continues to suffer from its decisions and ordering workers to spend more time in the office is ignoring the real reason for the city’s slump."

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

© Scoop Media