Act proposes public service reforms to end race-based hiring

Sunday 16 August 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Sun 16 Aug, 10:57am

In this story ACT Party, David Seymour

The Act Party plans to repeal Section 73 of the Public Service Act to remove requirements for department heads to consider Māori involvement in hiring. Leader David Seymour says the reforms aim to replace social engineering with merit-based principles and a statutory duty to prioritise need over race.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldSun 16 Aug, 5:00am

   Election 2026: Act’s public service ‘reset’ includes removing ‘good employer’ requirements, enshrining ‘need, not race’ (opens in new tab)

2. StuffSun 16 Aug, 10:57am

   ACT pledges to end ‘race-based hiring’ in public service ‘reset’ (opens in new tab)