By country
Layoffs in New Zealand
15 sourced layoff rounds at 14 companies in New Zealand between Mar 2023 and May 2026: 15,628 people in the rounds where a number was given. Each one links to the article or filing it came from. The list covers what we have been able to source, not every cut in the country.
People affected
16K
Where a number was given
Companies
14
With a sourced round
Rounds
15
Mar 2023 → May 2026
Every round, newest first
- New Zealand Government (public service)−8,700(14% of workforce)
The New Zealand government announced a plan to shrink the public service by about 14 percent over three years to save 2.4 billion New Zealand dollars.
About the figure: Planned reduction through to mid-2029, not immediate redundancies.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: RNZ
The building materials group told investors it had removed about 620 full time positions as part of 200 million New Zealand dollars in savings.
About the figure: Cumulative figure disclosed at an investor day.
Construction & Real Estate · Source: RNZ
- Kainga Ora−620
The housing agency confirmed a restructure removing 620 mostly back office and corporate roles.
About the figure: 194 of the 620 roles were vacant.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: RNZ
Oji confirmed the end of paper production at Kinleith Mill in Tokoroa from June 2025, moving to imported paper.
Industrial & Manufacturing · Source: RNZ
The national health agency proposed further cuts concentrated in data, digital and public health teams to reduce a large deficit.
About the figure: Union figure for proposed cuts; about 700 of the roles were vacant.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: RNZ
The meat cooperative closed its 139 year old Smithfield processing plant in Timaru.
About the figure: About 600 staff are employed at peak season.
Consumer Goods & Food · Source: RNZ
The company closed its Karioi pulp mill and Tangiwai sawmill in the central North Island, citing energy prices.
Industrial & Manufacturing · Source: RNZ
- Kainga Ora−321
The New Zealand social housing agency announced a second round of restructuring on top of 232 roles already cut.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: RNZ
The ministry proposed the largest single agency cut of the 2024 public service savings drive, including roles supporting schools.
About the figure: Proposal; RNZ understood 225 of the roles were vacant.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: RNZ
- Oranga Tamariki−447(9% of workforce)
The New Zealand child welfare agency proposed a net reduction of 447 jobs as part of government savings targets.
About the figure: Proposal; the agency later confirmed a net reduction of 419 roles.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: RNZ
Warner Bros. Discovery closed the Newshub news operation in New Zealand, blaming a fall in advertising revenue.
About the figure: Closure was first proposed in February 2024 and confirmed in April.
Media & Streaming · Source: RNZ
- TVNZ−68(9% of workforce)
The state broadcaster proposed cuts that ended the Sunday and Fair Go programmes and two news bulletins.
About the figure: Up to 68, proposed.
Media & Streaming · Source: RNZ
The university cut 229 jobs and six courses to save 22 million New Zealand dollars in staff costs.
About the figure: Includes voluntary redundancies and vacant roles.
EdTech · Source: RNZ
- Te Pukenga−404(4.34% of workforce)
The national vocational education provider proposed a new structure merging its polytechnics, with most losses at management level.
About the figure: Proposal; net figure after about 960 roles were disestablished and new roles created.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: RNZ
- Xero−800
The accounting software firm announced a restructuring to cut costs and improve profitability under a new chief executive.
About the figure: Up to 800 roles; the company gave a range of 700 to 800.
Enterprise SaaS · Source: RNZ
Search every company in the directory, or read how we choose and check events in the methodology.