Public Service Act 2020 amendments

01 August 2025

On 1 April 2025, the Government announced proposed amendments to the Public Service Act 2020. On 31 July 2025, the Public Service Act Amendment Bill passed its first reading in the House.

Broadly, the suite of amendments seek to:

  • 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.

The Minister for the Public Service Hon Judith Collins KC says the reforms are designed to ensure the public service is professional, politically neutral, and equipped to serve the government of the day and deliver better outcomes for taxpayers. 

These amendments are now subject to a legislative process and may change during this time. People can have their say on the proposed amendments during the Select Committee process.

Public Service Amendment Bill – parliament.nz

More information will be added to this page as the Bill progresses.

Related information

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)

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-2025-0228-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

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)