Public Service Act 2020 amendments

On 1 April 2025, the Government announced proposed amendments to the Public Service Act 2020. On 27 May 2026, the Public Service Act Amendment Bill passed its third reading in the House. The Governor-General will now formally sign the bill into law.

Broadly, the suite of amendments:

• Clarify the role of the Public Service
• Streamline chief executive responsibilities 
• Reinforce the principles of political neutrality, merit-based appointments and professional competence
• Improve chief executive and agency performance management (including to ensure better oversight and transparency of Public Service conduct)
• Ensure capability in key positions that oversee common operational functions 
• Provide for better management of risks to national security or the national interest.

Public Service Amendment Bill – parliament.nz

Public Service Amendment Bill 190-1 (2025), Government Bill Contents – Legislation.govt.nz

Public Service Amendment Bill Departmental Disclosure Statement – Legislation.govt.nz

Cabinet papers

Cabinet Paper: Public Service Act Amendments Paper 1(PDF, 573 KB)

Cabinet Paper: Public Service Act Amendments Paper 2(PDF, 583 KB)

Cabinet Paper: Public Service Act Amendments Paper 3(PDF, 609 KB)

Public-Service-Amendment-Bill-Approval-for-Introduction(PDF, 432 KB)

Regulatory Impact Statement

Regulatory Impact Statement: Amendments to the Public Service Act 2020(PDF, 623 KB)

Bill of Rights Act vetting advice

Consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990: Public Service Amendment – Justice.govt.nz

Policy advice

MoSR-2025-0612-REPORT-Public-Service-Amendment-Bill-Talking-points-for-Cabinet-and-introduction-material(PDF, 501 KB)

MoSR-2025-0582-REPORT-Public-Service-Act-Amendments-Cabinet-paper-and-Bill-for-lodging(PDF, 556 KB)

MoSR-2025-0506-REPORT-Public-Service-Act-Amendments-Draft-Cabinet-paper-and-Bill(PDF, 717 KB)

MoSR-2025-0486-REPORT-Further-minor-and-technical-amendments-for-the-Public-Service-Amendment-Bill(PDF, 391 KB)

MoSR-2025-0480-REPORT-Transitional-arrangements-for-Public-Service-Amendment-Bill(PDF, 437 KB)

MoSR-2025-0360-REPORT-Minor-or-Technical-Amendments-to-the-Public-Service-Act-2020(PDF, 794 KB)

MoSR-2025-0265-AIDE-MEMOIRE-Amendments-to-the-Public-Service-Act-2020-Cabinet-discussion(PDF, 384 KB)

MoSR-2025-0228-REPORT-Public-Service-Act-amendments-updated-draft-Cabinet-papers(PDF, 1.4 MB)

MoSR-2025-0226-REPORT-Good-employer-obligations-in-the-Public-Service(PDF, 464 KB)

MoSR-2025-0160-REPORT-Final-draft-Cabinet-papers-for-ministerial-consultation(PDF, 551 KB)

MoSR-2025-0135-Report-Draft-papers-and-advice-Public-Service-Amendment-Bill(PDF, 839 KB)

MoSR-2025-0085-REPORT-Scope-of-amendments-to-the-public-service-act(PDF, 820 KB)

MoSR-2025-0064-AIDE-MEMOIRE-Agenda-Discussion-on-scope-for-Public-Service-Amendment-Bill(PDF, 176 KB)

MoSR-2025-0020-REPORT-Public-Service-Portfolio-Legislation-Programme-2025(PDF, 582 KB)

Media releases

Media release: Government announces proposed amendments to the Public Service Act 2020

Media release: Back to basics for public service – Beehive.govt.nz

Proactively released responses to relevant OIA requests

OIA-2025-0032-Information-request-regarding-the-Public-Service-Amendment-Bill(PDF, 789 KB)

OIA-2025-0008-Information-request-regarding-feedback-on-amendments-to-the-Public-Service-Act-2020-the-Act(PDF, 783 KB)

PSCR 2025-0501 – Information request regarding proposed changes to the Public Service Act 2020(PDF, 660 KB)

PSCR 2025-0431 Information request regarding diversity and inclusion(PDF, 791 KB)