Napier City Council has confirmed it is reviewing its structure and is consulting with staff on a proposal to reshape its operation.
While it wouldn’t confirm the number of staff involved, three separate sources have told Local Democracy Reporting the proposal impacts more than 100 jobs.
Many staff, some with decades of service, had been told their positions may no longer exist. “What’s more concerning is that staff were reportedly warned not to speak to the media, raising questions about transparency and accountability in a publicly funded organisation.”
NCC chief executive Louise Miller said the council was reviewing its organisational structure and consulting with staff on a proposal to reshape its four directorates. “This consultation follows the restructuring of our executive leadership team in February, which reduced the number of directorates from five to four and resulted in the disestablishment of one executive director position,” Miller said.
“Several key factors are driving this proposed change, including direction from Central Government to prioritise core services, major reform initiatives such as Local Water Done Well and the need to identify a further $3 million in labour efficiencies for the 2025/26 financial year. “The proposed changes aim to create a more efficient, agile and responsive structure that is better equipped to meet these challenges,” Miller said.
One worker said the process has been handled in “an impersonal, top-down manner, with little regard for the human impact or the potential consequences for public service delivery”. The restructure reportedly cites the commercialisation of key community facilities, including Ocean Spa, Bay Skate, Kennedy Park Resort, and the Napier Conference Centre as a key driver. An annual plan hearing and deliberation process is currently underway to determine the future of these facilities.
A source said: “There are fears that essential community services may be reduced or outsourced without public consultation.” Miller said the council acknowledged this was a difficult time for many of its staff, who are deeply committed to serving the Napier community. “Our priority is to work closely with those affected by the proposals, to listen to their feedback, and to ensure they are fully supported throughout this process,” she said.
As of February 28, 2025, Napier City Council employed 785 on an average full-time wage of $92,829 per annum.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Be interested to know who got ‘restructured’ out. Was it the ones who spoke up against the Councils awful visionary plans? Or the CE, Mayor’s and certain Councillors clear conflicts of interest? It wouldn’t be the Yes men on the inflated salaries would it? I suppose Ms Miller got hired in Kaipara for the same thing so it’s no surprise. She’ll be out soon enough anyway, change is coming in October.
From another article, Another staff member told Hawke’s Bay Today the savings demanded by the mayor and some councillors was being used to rationalise the job losses, following two “poorly justified and hugely expensive capital projects”, the proposed new library building and the new council office.
The CE and elected officials are involved. I agree some staff need to go, however, a source advises that a good portion of staff being shown the door are the ones who are disillusioned with the current Council practices and have voiced their concerns, as is their right. The majority of the current Council is corrupt, hides evidence, bullies staff to do their (or their cohorts) bidding and definitely do not listen to their ratepayers, often mocking them behind closed doors. With exception to culling staff, they have a grand plan to make ratepayers pay for their cohorts items. Should an actual forensic accountant go through their books, the holes they would find. All I can say is, in October vote!
The exorbitant rates paid to CEs in Hawke’s Bay Councils are not justified. The current annual salary for the Prime Minister of New Zealand is $498,300.00. Can any of these CEs truly justify the rate of pay and benefits they are receiving. There you go, one way to reduce costs.