A new report from the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission (PSC) provides a detailed look at remote work trends across New Zealand’s public service. The findings challenge assumptions about widespread remote work and highlight key differences among government agencies.
Remote Work Across the Board
The PSC report reveals that, on average, public servants work 0.9 days per week from home. While 33% of government employees work remotely at least one day per week, a majority—55%—do not typically work from home.
Friday stands out as the most popular remote workday, with 23% of public servants choosing to work from home at the end of the week. Mondays and Thursdays also see moderate levels of remote work, while midweek days are less popular.
Despite an increase in hybrid work discussions, only 2.7% of public service employees are classified as full-time remote workers, indicating that in-office work remains the norm.
Which Agencies Embrace Remote Work the Most?
The report highlights significant variations in remote work adoption among different government agencies. The Ministry for Ethnic Communities leads the way, with 95% of its employees working from home at least one day per week. The PSC itself also reports a high remote work rate, with 62.2% of its staff working from home at least once weekly.
In contrast, several agencies have much lower levels of remote work participation. Some, such as the Department of Corrections and the Ministry for Primary Industries, have a majority of employees who either never or infrequently work from home.
Government Policy
The government has taken a measured approach to remote work, reinforcing that it is not an entitlement but rather a flexible arrangement that must be agreed upon and monitored. A directive issued in September 2024 clarifies this stance, stressing that agencies must balance operational needs with employee preferences.
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche stated that the report enhances transparency and accountability around remote work practices. “My expectation is that agencies will continue to monitor the arrangements against the updated guidance, which reflects the Government’s expectations,” he said.
What’s Next for Remote Work in the Public Sector?
The findings are expected to influence workplace policies moving forward, with agencies likely to continue monitoring remote work compliance and adjusting policies based on government priorities.
You can read the full report here.