Tumu Whakarae chief executive Laulu Mac Leauanae. Photo: SUPPLIED
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is under cost pressure and reviewing how it works.
Manatū Taonga said it is asking its staff for their input on how to "best set itself up".
Documents say it will not be able to balance its budget in 2025 without reducing its costs.
It had not had enough resources in the past, and was currently subject to an unsustainable level of investment, they said.
The ministry told RNZ "one of the drivers for this mahi is financial".
It was not a restructure or formal consultation, and no decisions had been made yet, Tumu Whakarae chief executive Laulu Mac Leauanae said.
"If the operating model work indicates that structural change is needed, kaimahi would have the opportunity to give further input as part of a formal consultation."
The ministry has hired a consultant for its specialist expertise, to "help with the operating model work as we do not have the capability or capacity in house".