Asia-Pacific

New Zealand state sector mergers announced

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-25 14:54
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WELLINGTON: The New Zealand government on Thursday announced three public sector mergers to improve their efficiency and effectiveness but with a loss of 55 full-time jobs.

The merger involves combination of the Food Safety Authority with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Radio New Zealand reported.

The other changes are that Archives New Zealand and the National Library will be merged with the Department of Internal Affairs.

And the Foundation of Research, Science and Technology will amalgamate with the ministry of the same name.

The Minister of State Services Tony Ryall said on Thursday it would save 20 million NZ dollars ($14 million) over the next three years and improve efficiency.

Changes were also being made to lift the performance of State sector agencies and ensure agencies were working together to strengthen cross sector arrangements, he said.