New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements from the public service, saying employment decisions should be based on merit rather than what the party describes as “forced woke” targets.

Party leader Winston Peters said, “This Bill would put an end to the woke left-wing social engineering and diversity targets in the public sector. New Zealand is a country founded on meritocracy not on some mind-numbingly stupid ideology.”

The Public Service (Repeal of Diversity and Inclusiveness Requirements) Amendment Bill seeks to repeal or amend several clauses within the Public Service Act 2020. The proposed changes are as follows:

• Clause 4: Amends section 44 to remove the Public Service Commissioner’s duty to develop a workforce that reflects societal diversity.

• Clause 5: Amends section 73 to eliminate requirements for chief executives and boards to promote diversity and inclusiveness as part of being a “good employer,” including specific references to Māori involvement.

• Clause 6: Repeals section 75 entirely, which mandates promoting diversity and inclusiveness in public service workplaces.

• Clause 7: Amends section 97 to exclude workforce diversity and inclusiveness from government workforce policy considerations.

• Clause 8: Removes the requirement in Schedule 3 for the Commissioner’s three-yearly briefings to assess workforce diversity and inclusiveness.

• Clause 9: Amends Schedule 7 to delete the obligation for panels appointing chief executives to consider diversity and inclusiveness.

Peters said, “The public service exists to serve New Zealanders – not to be a breeding ground for identity politics.”

“Removing woke ‘DEI’ requirements will give the public confidence that the right person is in the right job based on their skills not their identity,” he said.