Maritime New Zealand has confirmed jobs are on the chopping block, with its director saying the changes are proposed to “remain solvent”.
Yesterday, the Public Service Association (PSA) said Maritime NZ proposed to cut more than 30 roles, some in the harm prevention and investigations teams.
Maritime NZ director Kirstie Hewlett said “organisational changes that identify some roles for potential disestablishment” have been proposed.
“In deciding where to make cuts, we have been careful not to cut personnel in key front-facing roles.
“We notified our staff of the change proposal earlier this week and are currently in a consultation phase.”
The number of jobs that will be lost will be confirmed after consultation, Hewlett said.
The water safety regulator had a levy revenue shortfall and recently undertook a review to address it, she said.
“Last month, Cabinet made the decision to increase the Maritime Levy to cover some inflation for Maritime NZ but not to address the shortfall itself.”
Expenditure, including personnel, needed to be cut so Maritime NZ could “address funding pressures and remain solvent” as a result, Hewlett said.
Reducing the number of new positions has also been suggested, while some vacancies will be left unfilled to minimise the impact.
“The proposed changes, if confirmed, will mean we will need to alter the way we work.
“However, we will continue to prioritise harm prevention within the areas we are responsible for, including recreational craft.”
Affected staff were notified prior to the information being shared with the wider organisation, said Hewlett.
It was a “difficult time” for Maritime NZ, she said.
Hewlett said her focus was on the organisation and ensuring staff are well supported during this time.
A spokesperson for Associate Transport Minister James Meager said when reviewing the Maritime Levy, Cabinet carefully considered multiple options.
“Ultimately, the decision was made for an inflation-adjusted Maritime Levy over three years. This will see the Maritime Levy rate increase by 6.35% from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028, and 2.5% from July 1, 2028, to June 30, 2030.
“Maritime NZ’s current reserves and levy shortfall were taken into account, alongside a range of factors and views across the maritime sector. This included consideration of the cumulative cost increases the industry is already facing, particularly to fuel and diesel due to the impacts of the Middle East conflict.”
They said this decision was considered the best option to fairly take into account all stakeholder views, and the minister is confident it strikes the right balance.
“The minister acknowledges Maritime NZ will need to reduce its expenditure, and the disestablishment of some roles within the organisation may occur. Maritime NZ have assured him these decisions will be carefully made, and it is not to cut personnel in key front-facing roles.”
PSA national secretary Duane Leo said based on proposal documents, the union understood 34 roles were proposed to be axed.
They were working in the harm prevention, investigations, legal, policy, finance and administration teams.
Leo said the proposed cuts “will turn Maritime New Zealand into the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff”.
“These workers are collaborating with the maritime sector to stop people being injured or killed on our waters.
“Cutting these injury prevention programmes will put more people at risk.”
In the 2024 to 2025 financial year, 19 fatal recreational boating accidents occurred, he said.
“Significantly reducing” investigations and legal teams would make it more difficult to investigate serious incidents and prosecute offenders, Leo said.
Leo also said the proposal came after a refusal to increase Maritime Levies.
The PSA, representing its 185 Maritime NZ members, would be making a submission opposing the proposal.