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LINZ staff pay the price as agency agrees with Minister to do ‘less with less’

Source: PSA

Are Ministers now directing headcount targets? PSA calls for transparency
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) admits service levels will fall in some areas as it embarks on a major head count reduction programme – today confirming 15 roles going in the first phase.
LINZ has agreed with its Minister in its performance plan to cut its workforce by 2 per cent over each of the next three years, meaning between 40 and 50 roles will be gone in total by 2028. It aims to reduce staff numbers to 800 by June this year.
The first phase confirmed to staff today sees 15 roles cut impacting jobs in ministerial and government services, business management services, and the team that maintains the digital backbone that keeps LINZ's technology systems working together.
“This is what managed decline of a key public service agency looks like, and the Minister is happy to see that happen regardless of the work that needs doing or the impact on services New Zealanders rely on,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“We fear this is the thin end of the wedge – is the Government now happy for agencies to offer up specific headcount targets to meet its spending cuts or is it now actually directing headcount reductions? The PSA calls on the Prime Minister to be upfront with New Zealanders.”
LINZ management has told its workforce that to ‘ meet staff reduction expectations, LINZ will need to do less with less. We will need to stop or reduce service levels in some areas.’
“LINZ is responsible for critical functions that underpin property rights, land titles, overseas investment decisions, Crown land management and maritime safety. Cutting the people who do this work has real consequences.
“The agency's own staff have warned that the cuts create single points of failure, risk non-compliance with statutory obligations, and will lead to delays and errors.
“That's not efficiency, that's degradation of public services by design.”
The PSA's submission on the first phase of the restructure raised serious concerns about the impact on service delivery, including the risk of missed statutory deadlines for Official Information Act responses, ministerial briefings and select committee processes.
“Workers are exhausted by constant restructuring. Many have been through previous rounds of change and are now being told their roles are at risk again. The human cost of this relentless cost-cutting is enormous,” Leo said.
“These are dedicated public servants being told to look for work in a tough job market, at a time of rising costs impacting budgets, and impacting their ability to pay the rent or mortgage.
“This is just the same plan we have seen across the public service – a hollowing out the agencies New Zealanders depend on regardless of the challenges we face as a country.
“The PSA strongly opposes these cuts and will be demanding LINZ do all it can to redeploy impacted workers to other positions.”
Background
LINZ is New Zealand's lead agency for property and location information, Crown property and managing overseas investment. It manages land titles, the cadastre (official record of land boundary surveys), geodetic and hydrographic systems, and nearly three million hectares of Crown land.
In its performance plan for the Lands Information Minister, LINZ agreed to a 2 per cent staff reduction year on year for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Phase one of the restructure impacts four areas: Digital Delivery (Digital Specialist roles reduced from 3 to 1), Ministerial and Government Services (2 roles disestablished), Delivery Capability (Data and Business Analyst roles reduced from 5 to 3, Solution Delivery Specialist roles reduced from 3 to 2). Three Enterprise Architecture roles are also being cut. This team is responsible for maintaining LINZ's critical technology systems, including the Landonline property rights platform used for every land transaction in New Zealand.
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.
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Health – Public input critical as new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy released

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

A once-in-a-decade Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been released for public consultation, and Te Hiringa Mahara is calling on New Zealanders to help shape the final document.
The strategy will set the direction for mental health and wellbeing across Aotearoa for more than a decade, making public involvement essential.
“This strategy will guide priorities and actions through to 2036, so it is imperative it reflects the realities and needs of those it is intended to serve,” says Te Hiringa Mahara CEO, Karen Orsborn.
“We and others have long called for a dedicated strategy, and it is positive to see this taken forward. However, for it to be truly effective, it must be shaped by the voices of people with lived experience and their whānau.
“While the strategy clearly acknowledges the inequitable outcomes experienced by Māori and outlines improved outcomes in its long-term vision, we want to see targeted, measurable actions to deliver meaningful change.
“Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for the inclusion of specific effort directed to improving outcomes for populations with the highest need through effective, accessible solutions that are designed both with and for those communities.
“We also need to see stronger action to address the underlying drivers of mental distress, particularly for young people, where demand and unmet need continue to grow.
To support meaningful engagement, Te Hiringa Mahara has released advice to help New Zealanders make submissions on the draft strategy and use their voices and lived experience to help shape this document.
“We strongly encourage everyone, particularly those with lived experience of mental distress, to have their say. Public input will be critical to make sure the final strategy can deliver the change we urgently need to see,” says Ms Orsborn.
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Fire Safety – Fire ban lifted in parts of Otago

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Otago Central, Naseby and Lakes zones into a restricted fire season as of 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.
During a restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire must first obtain a fire permit from Fire and Emergency.
The following special risk zones will remain in a prohibited fire season:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve.
The section 52 prohibition of fireworks in Upper Waitaki, Central and Lakes fire zones will also be revoked at 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.
Fireworks will remain prohibited in the following special risk zones:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve
– Glendhu Bluffs
– Naseby
– Lake Ōhau.
Otago District Commander, Deane Chalmers, says recent cooler weather has reduced the fire risk.
“South-westerly weather and shorter days mean the vegetation around the district is no longer as dry.
“Fires are less likely to start and will not spread as quickly in these conditions.
“But fires can start in Otago at any time of the year, which is why people must apply for a fire permit at www.checkitsalright.nz,” Deane Chalmers says.
“This website will also tell you whether the conditions are safe and provide safety tips for your burn.”
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International travel: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

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International migration: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

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Advocacy – Auckland council votes to investigate sanctioning Israel for war crimes – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

 

PSNA has congratulated Auckland City Councillors who voted this morning to investigate supporting sanctions against Israel for war crimes.

 

The Auckland Council Policy, Planning and Development Committee has just voted 14 to 2 to request a staff report by July on sanctioning companies on the UN’s Human Rights Council who are complicit with Israel’s illegal occupation and settlement of the Palestinian Territory.

 

“Israel has been stealing Palestinian land and moving Israeli settlers onto the land in defiance of international law”, says PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal. 

 

“The local Palestinian community and our supporters sincerely thank the Auckland councillors who today have voted for steps to refuse to procure goods or services from any of the companies involved in building and maintaining these settlements.” 

 

“Auckland ratepayers deserve to know their rates are not being used to support Israeli war crimes, as designated by the UN General Assembly, Security Council, international conventions and the International Court of Justice.

 

Councillor Julie Fairey moved the resolution and rejected the arguments of councillors who opposed it, on the grounds that the Council should ‘stick to its knitting’, by stating decisions should be made so that ‘the needles and the wool do not have blood on them.

 

Councillor Maurice Williamson voted against the resolution.  But as a cabinet minister of the Key/English government at the time, he stated he had supported New Zealand co-sponsorship of the UN Security Resolution 2334 in 2016, calling Israeli settlements ‘a flagrant breach of international law’.

 

Williamson then went on to attack the UN Human Rights Council, falsely claiming it is chaired by Iran, when in fact the UNHRC’s President is from Indonesia.

Nazzal says, “Already six different local bodies have taken this step – it’s good to see Auckland following along the same path.”

 

Environment Canterbury (March 2024)

Christchurch City Council (October 2024)

Nelson City Council (December 2024)

Wellington City Council (August 2025)

Environment Southland (September 2025)

Palmerston North City Council (September 2025)

 

The United Nations Human Rights Commission has produced a list of 156 companies involved in illegal settlement activities; the database is here in a pdf: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session60/advance-version/a-hrc-60-19-aev.pdf

 

Maher Nazzal

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Anzac Day 2026: Recognising all who have served, past and present

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

New Zealanders will gather across the country on 25 April to mark Anzac Day 2026, coming together in remembrance of all those who have served the nation in times of war, conflict, and peace support operations.
This year’s Anzac Day holds particular significance following the modernisation of the Anzac Day Act, which affirms that Anzac Day commemorates all who have served New Zealand, including service beyond traditionally defined wars to encompass warlike conflicts, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations.
Secretary for Culture and Heritage Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae says Anzac Day 2026 reflects an inclusive and evolving understanding of service and remembrance.
“Anzac Day remains one of the most significant days in our national calendar. It is a time when we honour all those who have served – those who did not return, those who carried their experiences home, and those who continue to serve today.
“I encourage people to attend their local services around Aotearoa New Zealand. For those in Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington, join us at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park for the dawn service at 6am and the national commemoration service at 11am.”
Anzac Day 2026 also marks a moment of renewal at Pukeahu. For the first time since 2020, the National War Memorial Carillon will ring out again – with the bells tolled during the dawn and national commemoration services and a 30-minute carillon recital after each service.
“It will be very special to hear the voices of the fallen echo through the Carillon bells once again at Pukeahu. For generations, their sound has helped anchor remembrance for communities across Wellington and the country. Hearing them again this Anzac Day reconnects us with a powerful tradition,” says Leauanae.
TVNZ 1 and RNZ National will broadcast Anzac Day services.
Social media updates and live coverage will ensure everyone can connect with the day. For further details, logistics, and updates, please visit: https://www.mch.govt.nz/events https://www.facebook.com/manatutaonga/ https://www.instagram.com/manatutaonga/
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Health – Telehealth Failing to Meet Expectations, Not Reducing Pressure on Emergency Departments – GenPro

Source: General Practice Owners’ Association (GenPro)

Telehealth is falling far short of expectations, with fewer patients using the service than predicted—and it’s not easing pressure on New Zealand’s emergency departments, says Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of the General Practice Owners’ Association (GenPro).

“The government should redirect its $165 million investment in telehealth to what patients actually want: accessible, face-to-face care in their communities. Additional funding support would also help general practices keep fee increases to a minimum this year,” says Dr Chambers.

When the Government launched 24/7 telehealth services in mid-2025, it promised a convenient alternative for lower-acuity care and a way to reduce demand on emergency departments. But the latest figures reveal the initiative is struggling to deliver.

A Government business case projected 410,000 subsidised telehealth consultations annually, yet only 60,600 consultations were delivered between May 2025 and mid-January 2026.

Meanwhile, emergency department demand continues to rise. Between October and December 2025, 340,967 patients attended EDs, compared with 332,110 in the same period in 2024, despite a slight increase in throughput.

“Telehealth was meant to ease pressure on our Emergency Departments. Clearly it isn’t achieving that,” Chambers says.

“Patients are still presenting to emergency departments in large numbers. The service is nowhere near as popular as predicted, and it’s therefore not achieving its core objective.”

Chambers says the reasons are clear. “A GenPro survey of 1,798 patients found that 87 percent prefer in-person consultations with their regular GP. People want continuity, trust, and face-to-face care. Telehealth is largely a second-best option for most patients.”

Compounding the issue, telehealth is mostly being used by urban, employed, young adults – people least likely to present at emergency departments. This limit’s the service’s ability to reduce ED demand.

“These figures expose fundamental flaws in the telehealth policy,” Chambers says.

“This was a significant public investment, yet it is not delivering value where it is most needed. Uptake is low, it is not evidence-based, and it’s failing to support the health system as intended.”

Ahead of the 2026 Budget, GenPro is urging the government to redirect funding into strengthening community-based general practice.

“At a time when GPs are under enormous pressure, investing in in-person care would improve access, support continuity, and help reduce cost pressures on patients—while more directly addressing the drivers of emergency department demand,” Chambers says.

“Telehealth can play a role in healthcare, but it should complement—not replace—traditional general practice.”

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Research – The "Salary Growth Illusion": Why 81% of New Zealand workers don’t feel their pay rise – Robert Walters

Source: Robert Walters

Auckland, New Zealand – 14/04/2026 – New salary data shows that wages are rising, but most New Zealand workers feel no richer. This is revealing a widening disconnect between employer intentions and employee experience, exposing what recruitment experts are calling “The Salary Growth Illusion.”

Research from Robert Walters shows that at the start of 2026, 57% of professionals had received a pay rise from 2025. Yet, 81% say their pay still does not keep up with the rising cost of living. Shockingly, only 17% of employers acknowledge this gap – showing a significant disconnect between salary growth and actual salary growth.

Shay Peters, Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand CEO says, “Salary increases are happening, but for most people, they're being absorbed before they're even felt. On paper, it looks like progress, but in reality, employees are standing still. That disconnect is what we're calling the salary growth illusion, and it's starting to materially impact how people feel about their employer.”

Many New Zealanders are feeling the squeeze from higher prices across essentials. Annual consumer price inflation sat around 3.1% in the year to December 2025, slightly above the Reserve Bank's target range, meaning wages would have needed to rise by at least this amount just to maintain purchasing power.

Last year, most pay rises sat between 2.5-5%, translating to just $2,500-$5,000 extra per year on a $100,000 salary. This is insufficient to offset rising expenses.

Mid-senior roles see biggest increases, interns left behind

  • 67% of businesses plan to increase salaries in 2026, while 56% of employees expect a pay rise. 
  • Pay rises are more likely at associate and mid-senior levels (77-79% expected to get one), while interns have a 53% chance.
  • Recruiters warn this is creating lasting damage that will prove detrimental over time.

“If organisations allow this gap to persist, the consequences go beyond today's workforce. You risk disengaging early-career professionals at a critical stage, weakening your long-term talent pipeline and creating retention challenges that compound over time.”

Tech, finance and legal leaders drive above‑average pay growth in New Zealand

While overall salary increases remain moderate across New Zealand, select roles and cities are breaking away from the pack. Auckland's senior technology and finance leaders recorded some of the sharpest rises, with AI engineers, DevOps specialists and senior data professionals seeing increases of up to $25-30k. In financial services, Auckland-based General Managers of Finance and Commercial Managers rose by as much as $30-50k, while Christchurch legal leaders stood out with General Counsel salaries jumping up to $30k year on year.

“What we're seeing in pockets of the market is a very deliberate premium being placed on capability. Where skills are scarce and roles are business-critical, employers are willing to stretch. It reinforces a clear divide between those with in-demand expertise and those in more saturated areas.” says Peters.  

Auckland leads salary momentum, with selective gains in Wellington and Christchurch

Auckland remains the clear centre of salary momentum in New Zealand, particularly across technology, executive finance and senior leadership roles. Wellington saw more selective growth, concentrated in cyber security and transformation roles, while Christchurch experienced fewer increases overall but delivered some of the largest single jumps in senior legal and finance positions.

The “Salary Growth Illusion” threatens retention and engagement

The perception gap has major implications for retention, engagement, and recruitment. With employees increasingly aware of the mismatch between their pay and the cost of living, businesses risk losing talent if they do not bridge this divide and with 53% of employees looking to move roles this year, retention is a big threat to employers.

“Addressing this isn't simply a question of increasing salaries. It's about aligning reward strategies with real-world pressures and being far more transparent in how those decisions are made. Employees don't just want more, they want to understand that their employer genuinely gets it” Peters concludes.

About Robert Walters

Robert Walters is a global talent solutions business, partnering with organisations across the world to deliver recruitment, recruitment outsourcing and advisory services. Established in 1985, the business has built a strong international presence, operating in over 30 countries.

In New Zealand, Robert Walters works with a broad range of organisations, supporting the recruitment of permanent, contract and temporary roles across disciplines including finance, technology, human resources, legal, business support and more.

About the research

Findings come from the 2026 Robert Walters Salary Guide which surveyed over 5,500 white collar professionals.  

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Property Market – First home buyers strong, investors middling, movers still cautious

Source: Cotality

First home buyers are still very keen

The latest figures show that first home buyers’ (FHBs) share of property purchases in the first three months of the year held up at more than 27% – well above their long-term average back to 2005 of around 22%. It’s easy to get a bit blasé about this continued strength for FHBs, but we shouldn’t; it’s more great news.

In Auckland, their share was even higher (about 30%), with Hamilton at 33%, and the wider Wellington area soaring, at 37% (including both Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt at 41%). Other areas of strength around the country in Q1 2026 included Gisborne, Napier, and Palmerston North (all 31%), as well as Hastings and Invercargill (both 29%).

There remain multiple supports for FHB activity. Obviously, lower house prices and reduced mortgage rates help, as does access to KiwiSaver for at least part of their deposit. But not even needing to save a 20% deposit in the first place is proving beneficial too – as part of the LVR rules, the latest Reserve Bank figures show that more than half of FHB loans over January and February were done at less than 20% equity.

Mortgaged investors are back

Turning to mortgaged multiple property owners – MPOs, including the cliched ‘Mum and Dad’ investors – from twin troughs of 21% of activity in Q2 2023 and again in Q2 2024, their share has recently risen back to around 24%, more or less in line with their long-term average. Auckland is up at 26%, Hamilton 28%, and Christchurch 25%.

The data also shows that it’s the smaller players driving the overall rise for mortgaged MPOs – i.e. those that now own two properties after their latest purchase (which would generally be their own home and their first rental property). The MPO 3-4 category has also risen from a trough back in the middle of 2024.

For the MPO buyer group, key supports also include lower house prices and mortgage rates, as well as the shift back to 100% deductibility for interest costs – with the net result being far smaller ‘top ups’ required from other income sources to keep the cashflow position going.

Indeed, our calculations suggest a ‘typical’ new investor may have had to find an extra $400-$450 per week when house prices were higher and mortgage rates were 7% or more (and interest deductions were being phased out), but now that’s perhaps $150-$200 instead – even though buildings insurance and council
rates have risen steadily. It remains a sizeable chunk of cash, but still a lot more feasible for more people.

Movers are still biding their time

Relocating owner-occupiers, or ‘movers’, are another key buyer group, although they’ve been quieter than normal in recent years – for example, accounting for around 26% of activity in Q1 this year, below their average of 28% or so.

History shows that they take their lead from wider consumer confidence levels, economic growth, and job security, with the patchiness of these factors helping to explain movers’ low presence lately – but also suggesting that if and when the economy recovers over the medium term, this group would tend to become more prominent again.

Where to next?

Taking a look ahead, the Iran conflict has put an extra layer of uncertainty over that potential economic recovery, as well as the housing market outlook too.

Obviously the hope is that the ceasefire becomes permanent and we can get back to ‘normality’. But there’s always the risk it doesn’t prove lasting and, even if it does, there’ll still be some economic dislocation in the near term as a rebuild process gets underway.

Overall, there now seems a fair chance that our pre-existing forecast that property sales volumes could rise from around 90,000 in 2025 to about 100,000 in 2026 may be starting to look a bit strong. In addition, rather than a modest gain of up to 5% this year, property values may now be closer to flat, or even slightly down again.

But whatever the final total for sales volumes proves to be, how could each of the main buyer groups shape up? All else equal, movers could see their market share rise a bit as the economy (hopefully) recovers, while it also wouldn’t be a surprise to see mortgaged MPOs tick along at around recent levels – they have some supports, but also a few headwinds, including weak rental growth, the political cycle (e.g. possibility of a capital gains tax), and debt to income ratio caps.

If movers do perk up a bit, it’s not totally out of the question that FHBs’ market share drops a little in the next 12-18 months (after a very strong run) – after all, market share must always add up to 100%. But in a bigger pie with potentially more sales taking place, there could still be a higher raw number of FHBs.