A former associate finance minister believes public sector job cuts are needed to grow the economy. 

Latest Public Service Commission data shows the core workforce reduced by four percent in the year to December 2024.  

The Tertiary Education Commission, Archives New Zealand, and Department of Corrections yesterday earmarked further cuts. 

But former Minister Sir Lockwood Smith told Andrew Dickens the sector has got productivity problems. 

He says there's so much unproductive work going on by well-meaning good people, who lack focus on what's needed to deliver an effective workforce.