Some union members say the cuts could threaten the security of New Zealand's borders. (File image) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
More than 200 civilian Defence Force staff have opted for voluntary redundancy, while more job cuts are on the horizon as the agency plans for a restructure to cut costs.
RNZ has sighted an email the Defence Force sent to staff on Thursday, informing them that it had accepted the majority of the more than 200 expressions of interest for voluntary redundancies.
It proposed a restructure and warned staff that more cuts to its civilian workforce were likely.
"There are more savings that will have to be realised in order for the NZDF to stay within its allocated funding this financial year, and to set us up for enduring savings in the years ahead," it said.
It said there were no plans to reduce its military workforce.
It told staff it would be looking at achieving efficiencies, removing duplications and making operation savings.
A timeline presented to staff showed that an executive committee would approve the proposal for change in December, and consultation with staff would begin in February 2025. The restructure itself was set to take place between April and June 2025.
A NZDF spokesperson said as of 31 August it had 3309 staff in its civilian workforce.
They said it has "no specific target" in terms of the further cuts, and will be consulting unions and potentially affected staff before any final decisions are made.
"The security of New Zealand and its interests, including contribution to stability in the Pacific region, remains the focus of the NZDF," they said in a statement.
Cuts 'reckless' - union
The Public Service Association, which represents staff the the NZDF civilian workforce, said the news was distressing for its members.
Union organiser Mark James said staff were worried that New Zealand's security would be undermined.
"They are utterly shocked as a result of the email to them, they are just gobsmacked, they see this as just reckless-cost cutting as a result of the government underfunding of New Zealand Defence Force
"They honestly feel that the security of our borders, and that of our Pacific neighbours, is threatened by this continuance of cost-cutting and cutting of civilian roles, who play a vital role in assisting military personnel in defending New Zealand."
James said civilian roles included looking after the maintenance of aircraft, the security of bases, IT and intelligence.
The workforce was already cut to its bare bones, with many staff dealing with double their usual workload, he said.
"To further reduce the numbers of civilian [workers], will mentally harm the civilians, it will just be so stressful and so harmful on those left behind, this is just a recipe for disaster."
James said the cuts should not be happening in an international environment where tensions were rising and other governments were investing more in their defence forces.