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# Austerity? The Public Service Size Increased Again
- URL: https://goodoil.news/austerity-the-public-service-size-increased-again/
- Published: 2026-06-18T20:30:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-18T20:30:37.000Z
- Description: That means there is currently a broken promise of $295,200,000 per annum with the 1,476 extra staff.
- Author: Reproduced with permission
- Tags: NZ Politics, Economy, Education

[**Alwyn Poole**](https://alwynpoole.substack.com/p/austerity-the-public-service-size)  
*Began teaching in 1991\. TBC, HBHS, St Cuths. Founded/led Mt Hobson MS–18 years. Co-founded SAMS and MSWA. Econs degree, Masters in Edn, tchg dip, post grad dip – sport.*

[In the March Quarter the Public Service workforce grew from 63,657 FTEs](https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/data/workforce-data/public-sector-composition/workforce-size?ref=goodoil.news) to 64,535\. A quarterly increase of 1.4 per cent and 12 month increase of 2.1 per cent.

Ironically the Ministry for Regulation FTEs grew 11.6 per cent.

The Ministry of Education grew by a whopping 341 FTEs up 8.9 per cent. That total now stands at 4,176 and is approaching the June 2024 total of 4,387\. That is in complete contrast to the pre-election promise to bring the Ministry of Education FTEs down to the pre-Hipkins’ total of 2,700\. An estimate of the cost of employing a FTE in the ministry would be at least $200,000\. That means there is currently a broken promise of $295,200,000 per annum with the 1,476 extra staff. Money that would have plenty of better uses in education as, after 35 years in the sector, I have no idea what most of the education bureaucrats do.

This article was originally published by [Education – the Absolute Best Ways](https://alwynpoole.substack.com/p/austerity-the-public-service-size).