MPI says it spent $57.81 million on consultants and contractors for projects in the 2022-23 financial year, on projects including the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is set to slash its nearly $58 million spend on consultants in a bid to save money.
As part of the coalition's 100-day plan which ends today, the government told the public sector to reduce expenditure and cut down on consultants.
MPI said in the 2022-23 financial year it spent $57.81 million on consultants and contractors for projects such as developing the new electronic trade certification system, work on the agricultural emissions pricing system and the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme.
It was working to cut that by 34 percent to $38.2m this financial year.
When it comes to overall spend, MPI has a target savings reduction of 7.5 percent.
"We are working carefully to identify credible savings options, final decisions will be made as part of the Budget 2024 process," a spokesperson said.
Another part of the 100-day plan was to establish a permanent rural regulation review panel to assess all regulations affecting the primary sector and to propose solutions to cut red tape.
MPI said it had not been instructed to start work on this yet.
It is not clear how the new panel would differ from the Office for Rural Communities, which carries out similar work.