Rural Vote Debate on Q&A: Substance or Just Platitudes?
It was billed as a chance for all the political parties to woo the rural vote, but question marks hang over just how effective this was.
Given the 34% blowout in the size of the Wellington bureaucracy in recent years, The Hound is all for it.
Between 2017 and 2023, ten departments increased staff numbers by more than 64%.
As for growth in absolute numbers, MBIE led the way at 2917 new staff.
MPI added 1300, so will no doubt be looked at.
All the same, despite the need for savings, it was pleasing to hear Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard say frontline biosecurity services at MPI will not be cut.
This is vital to defending our biggest export earner.
Cuts to MPI, if any, will need to be chosen very carefully.
