New Zealand's Education Ministry latest to announce cuts, as public service downsizes

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand’s Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday it planned to cut about 12% of its workforce as widespread layoffs are announced in the public sector in an effort to reduce spending and curtail debt.

The conservative coalition government, elected in October, has asked ministries and departments such as health, conservation and business to make savings of between 6.5% and 7.5% as it attempts to reduce spending on public services by around NZ$1.5 billion ($885.90 million).