Poll: Is restructuring the right tool for change?
Restructure.
A scary word that can make people uneasy—and for good reason. According to The Post, more than a third of New Zealand’s public services have recently faced it.
But why is restructuring the go-to strategy for driving change?
In The Post’s article 'Reaching for change: Is our public service obsessed with restructuring?', doctoral candidate Annika Naschitzki from Victoria University is trying to understand repetitive restructuring.
New Zealand’s public service is often seen as risk-averse, slow-moving, and stuck. But interviewed staff indicate that they want change, that change is needed ... just not through restructuring.
Naschitzki doesn’t mince words: “We always have the same issues, but we keep trying to fix the same problem with the same hammer we've been using for decades.”
Are we leaning too heavily on structural change when real transformation might lie elsewhere? Perhaps through training, resourcing, tools, and practice, as Naschitzki suggests.
What do you think?
Is restructuring the right tool for meaningful change, or just a habit we can’t seem to break?
If you are wary of restructuring, how can we do better?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
-
7.4% Restructuring is the only option in the current climate
-
25.5% Can be great if done in consultation with staff doing the work
-
15.1% Any change is good, as long as we know what we are trying to achieve
-
14.1% No, restructuring consumes too much resourcing
-
35.6% There is no one-size-fits-all answer ...
-
2.2% Other - I will share below
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
-
72.9% We work hard, we deserve a break!
-
16.1% Hmm, maybe?
-
11% Yes!
Celebrate in Style: Craft Your Own Decor with Testpots
Create handcrafted celebrations using Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Give Music a Go, Summer Holiday Music Programme
The Taranaki School of Music is holding a fun and interactive School Holiday Music Programme in New Plymouth next month.
Discover the joy of music with lots of musical activities and try out different music instruments with professional tutors. This is aimed at 7 - 13 year age groups. Held in the mornings of 19- 21 st. January 2026 at the City Life Church.
Cost $90 for 3 sessions. Limited financial assistance available.
For information, registration, contact Jocelyn Beath, 021 144 1681, joc.beath@xtra.co.nz.
Loading…
