Greens vow to reverse National's $2.4b public service cuts at cost of $3.17b

The Green Party says it will reverse the National Party's $2.4 billion cuts to the public service if elected, at a cost of $3.17 billion over four years.Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said on Thursday National's "reckless" cuts to public services had left New Zealanders with "crumbling essential services, and job losses that have devastated our local economy, including the hospitality and retail sectors."She said the Greens' are the only party campaigning on no public service cuts."Instead of investing in our public service, and the people who bring their skills, talent and dedication to the sector, the National Party is proposing cutting another 8,700 more roles and replacing them with AI," Davidson added.The party specified that between 2027/28 and 2030/31 it would reverse the Budget 2026 2 percent baseline cuts, cancel the 5 percent public sector cuts expected next year, and cancel the additional 5 percent public sector cuts expected the following year.Davidson said the Green Party knows a strong public service is essential to addressing the "economic and environmental challenges that lie ahead for Aotearoa New Zealand.""The Greens will always stand on the side of a strong, skilled, hard-working public service that works for all of Aotearoa."