The Government says merging several agencies into ministries will improve their efficiency and effectiveness.About 55 jobs will go as a result.State Services Minister Tony Ryall said the Government had agreed to merge:* the New Zealand Food Safety Authori
The Government says merging several agencies into ministries will improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
About 55 jobs will go as a result.
State Services Minister Tony Ryall said the Government had agreed to merge:
* the New Zealand Food Safety Authority into the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry;
* Archives New Zealand and the National Library into the Department of Internal Affairs and;
* the Foundation for Research Science and Technology into the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.
He expected savings of $20 million over the next three years.
"We are looking to future-proof agencies during a time of increased restraint and rising public expectations of service delivery" Mr Ryall said.
"Some agencies are going to need to work differently within their existing baselines to meet those expectations."
Changes were also being made to lift the performance of State sector agencies and ensure agencies were working together to strengthen cross sector arrangements, he said.
"These changes are part of the Government's ongoing programme to reduce duplication and operational costs, and ensure we have stronger government agencies delivering better public services in the future," Mr Ryall said.
