Goff: Public servants should not be paid more than PM

Phil Goff said people who believe in public service should be able to be attracted to the area for under $400,000. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Public service chief executives should never be paid more than the prime minister, Labour Party leader Phil Goff said today, announcing the new policy in a speech in Hamilton.

Mr Goff, who was re-elected unopposed in the leader role at his party's first caucus of the year on Tuesday, talked about the tough economic times New Zealand has suffered through and the impact on workers.

He criticised pay increases for state sector chiefs when others had their pay frozen or lost their jobs.

"Under Labour no public service chief executive should be able to be paid more than the base salary for the prime minister," Mr Goff said.

"Just under $400,000 a year should be enough to attract good people who believe public service means just that.

"I am not going to cut existing salaries but we will introduce a cap on new salaries at the top."

- NZPA