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 Amendment Bill passed its third reading and on 2 June 2026, the Governor-General formally signed 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

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

Initial Briefing: Public Service Amendment Bill – Parliament.nz

Departmental Report: Public Service Amendment Bill – Parliament.nz

Select Committee Report: Public Service Amendment Bill – Parliament.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)