Government Cutting Roles Supporting Māori Crown Relations w/ Jack McDonald Te Kaihautū Māori for the PSA: 13th April, 2026

Last week, two new propositions for job cuts in the Ministry of Justice and Te Puni Kōkiri were announced, which would get rid of a combined FIFTY THREE jobs.

A large portion of the proposed jobs that would be slashed were roles that help advise Māori and Crown relations, raising worries that the government won’t be reaching its treaty obligations.

The entire inquiry team that deals with Waitangi tribunal inquiries at the Ministry of Justice would be let go, and the cuts at Te Puni Kōkiri would mean 21 percent of the workforce will have been lost under this government.

To discuss these job cuts and their impact on Māori, producer Thomas spoke to Te Kaihautū Māori for the PSA, Jack McDonald.