New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies from the public service, a move that closely mirrors recent actions by the Trump administration in the United States.
Party leader Winston Peters says the bill will put an end to what he describes as “woke left-wing social engineering” by removing requirements for public sector employers to promote diversity.
Targeting DEI in the Public Service
DEI policies in New Zealand’s public service have been established with the goal of promoting workforce diversity and inclusion, with the Public Service Commission (PSC) describing them as “essential” for improving trust, confidence, and service outcomes. However, NZ First argues these policies prioritise identity over merit and should be repealed.
“This Bill would put an end to the woke left-wing social engineering and diversity targets in the public sector,” Peters said. “New Zealand is a country founded on meritocracy not on some mind-numbingly stupid ideology.”
The bill would amend the Public Service Act 2020, which currently requires government agencies to promote diversity and inclusiveness in hiring and leadership. Specifically, it would:
- Amend Section 44 to remove the Public Service Commissioner’s duty to develop a workforce that reflects societal diversity.
- Amend Section 73 to eliminate requirements for chief executives and boards to promote diversity as part of being a “good employer,” including references to Māori involvement.
- Repeal Section 75, which mandates the promotion of diversity and inclusion in leadership roles.
- Remove DEI considerations from the process of appointing public service chief executives.
If passed, the bill would effectively strip the public service of all diversity-related obligations, shifting employment decisions solely toward what NZ First describes as a “merit-based” system.
Political and Public Reactions
The bill has received a mixed response from political leaders. Senior National MP Chris Bishop stated that while National supports meritocracy and “quality over identity politics,” the party has yet to review the details of NZ First’s proposal.
“Clearly it’s a real priority for NZ First, and you know, if the bill gets pulled from the biscuit tin, we’ll have a look at it,” Bishop said, referring to the parliamentary ballot system that determines which Member’s Bills are debated.
Conversely, Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who introduced the Public Service Act 2020, dismissed the proposal as “ridiculous.”
“We have a Public Service Act that requires the public service to reflect New Zealand and New Zealanders. I passed that, and I am very proud of it. I think Winston Peters is just basically trying to take a leaf out of Donald Trump’s book.”
Following International Trends
NZ First’s move comes as similar policies are being rolled back in the United States under Donald Trump’s leadership. One of Trump’s first executive orders in his second term directed federal agencies to eliminate DEI-related goals and mandates.
“Federal hiring, promotions, and performance reviews will reward individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work and not, under any circumstances, DEI-related factors, goals, policies, mandates or requirements,” the Trump administration declared.
Elon Musk has also been outspoken against DEI, calling it “another word for racism.”
The Legislative Process and Next Steps
As a Member’s Bill, NZ First’s proposal must be randomly drawn from Parliament’s ballot before it can be debated. If selected, it would face multiple stages of scrutiny, including public submissions and select committee review.
NZ First’s previous support for the Public Service Act 2020 when it was in coalition with Labour has also drawn criticism, with some questioning why the party is now attempting to repeal legislation it once helped pass.
Despite the political controversy, Peters remains steadfast in his position. “The public service exists to serve New Zealanders – not to be a breeding ground for identity politics,” he said.