Section 1 Staff Numbers

Staff numbers in the Public Service

In the year to 30 June 2010, the number of FTE employees in the Public Service decreased by 118 to 44,554 (-0.3%). The annual decrease can be broken down into an increase of 172 FTEs (0.4%) between 30 June 2009 and 31 December 2009 and a decrease of 290 FTEs (-0.6%) between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2010. This seasonal pattern to Public Service employment can partly be attributed to the recruitment of temporary summer employees at the Department of Conservation. The six month change, annual change, and the longer term trend in FTEs and headcounts are shown in Table 1 and Figure 2.

Table 1: Public Service Employment (FTEs and Headcount), 2005 to 2010

Figure 2 Public Service Staffing, 2005 to 2010

Changes in staff numbers by department

Changes to FTE staff numbers within each department over the year to June 2010 are shown in Figure 3. Eleven departments had an increase over the full year, twenty one departments had a decrease, and three departments recorded no change in FTE staff numbers. Changes to FTE staff numbers within each department over the past 5 years are shown in Appendix 1.

Figure 3 Changes in Department FTE Staff Numbers, 2009 to 2010

The department with the largest annual increase in staffing was the Department of Corrections which increased by 591 FTEs. The Department of Corrections is one of the two departments with the majority of staff outside the cap on core government administration. The majority of this increase (581) was outside the cap.

Besides the increase at the Department of Corrections, four other departments recorded annual increases of over 50 FTEs: Ministry of Social Development (155), Ministry of Justice (92), Statistics New Zealand (82) and Department of Internal Affairs (80).

The increase in FTEs at the Ministry of Social Development occurred in Child, Youth and Family and Work and Income, outside the cap. The increases in the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Internal Affairs were largely due to new functions within these departments. The build up of FTE numbers at Statistics New Zealand is in preparation for the 2011 population census.

Of the twenty one departments with decreases over the 12 months to 30 June 2010, the largest drops occurred in the Inland Revenue Department (-513) and the Ministry of Health (-151). During the year, IRD made a number of changes to become a more streamlined organisation, including a process in which 270 employees accepted voluntary redundancy.

The Ministry of Health went through an organisational change which resulted to termination of employees on the grounds of redundancy and which also saw some of its functions outsourced.

Staff numbers by occupation

This is the fourth year occupational information has been collected using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). An HRC customised occupation grouping is used to report on occupations in the Public Service. This customised grouping has been created to better reflect the types of roles in the Public Service. A breakdown of the most common occupations in these customised groups is provided in Appendix 3.

The FTE staff numbers in each occupation group over the past three years are shown in Table 2.

Table 2: FTE staff numbers by occupation group

Over the twelve months to June 2010, the largest percentage drop occurred in Policy Analysts (down by 7%). The Ministry of Justice had the largest fall in Policy Analysts (down by 48 FTEs), followed by the State Services Commission (down by 46 FTEs).

On the other hand, FTE staff numbers in Information Professionals and Social, Health and Education Workers increased by 10% and 3% respectively. The Ministry of Justice had the largest increase in Information Professionals (up by 86 FTEs) followed by the State Services Commission (up by 64 FTEs). The largest increase in Social, Health and Education Workers came from the Ministry of Social Development (up by 275 FTEs).

While these figures have been collected on the same basis each year, a number of departments have re-examined their occupation codes to ensure that the most appropriate codes are used. Consequently the shift in numbers across occupation groups may be due to recoding or actual increases and reductions.

² This percentage is based on the change over the six months to June 2009. The annual figure to 30 June 2009 is 2.5%.

³ This percentage is based on the change over the six months to Dec 2009. The annual figure to 31 Dec 2009 is -1.0%.

⁴ This percentage is based on the change over the six months to June 2010. The annual figure to 30 June 2010 is -0.3%.

⁵ The December 2008 staffing survey prompted a number of departments to re-examine their ANZSCO coding to more accurately reflect the roles and functions of their staff.

⁶ This group includes communications managers.

⁷ This group includes communications staff in non-management roles.

⁸ The change between 30 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 is due to the reclassification of IRD Clerical and Administrative Workers to Contact Centre Workers.