One of the three parties that make up New Zealand’s coalition government has introduced a Private Members Bill aimed at removing “forced, woke, ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ targets” in public service hiring policies.
At present, the Public Service Act, passed in 2020, requires government departments and agencies to actively work towards a workforce that “reflects the diversity of New Zealand.”
In addition, an initiative called the Papa Pounamu Programme ensures that DEI efforts are embedded across government.
Agencies set targets to increase the proportion of Māori and Pacific employees, particularly in leadership roles, and public service hiring processes often prioritise diverse hiring, including through targeted recruitment strategies, scholarships, and development programs….
New Zealand First Party Introduces Bill to Try End DEI Hiring Policies in Public Service
