Public service staff numbers grow despite government's crackdown on 'bloated bureaucracy'

New Zealand's public service workforce has grown, defying the government's stated aim to curb public-sector spending and reduce bureaucracy. Official figures reveal an increase in the number of civil servants, even as the administration targets public-sector expenditure. This trend suggests that the government's crackdown on a "bloated bureaucracy" has not yet yielded the desired reduction in public service staff numbers. The data highlights a persistent challenge for the administration in aligning its spending reduction goals with the reality of public sector employment. The growth in staff numbers raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the government's approach to managing public finances and the size of the state apparatus.