By Nick James for RNZ
Wellington’s mayor will meet the prime minister next month, with the axe falling on public sector jobs set to take a heavy toll on the capital.
Government departments are carrying out the coalition government’s demands to identify saving options of either 6.5 or 7.5 percent.
The slashing of jobs at government agencies has made headlines in recent weeks, with the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Health Ministry planning to cut more than 400 jobs.
In a cost cutting effort, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is calling out to its staff to apply for voluntary redundancy.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau told RNZ she was concerned about the knock-on effects for the capital and will be raising those fears in a meeting with the prime minister, finance minister and local government minister next month.
“This will be something on the agenda absolutely, like what can the council and government do together to help weather this situation.
“I do not know what that looks like at this early stage, but it’s certainly on my agenda to raise at that meeting.”
She said it would influence the local economy.
“With hundreds of people losing their jobs, they won’t really be able to go out, be amongst the city, spending money, that sort of thing.”