Our public servants do the hard yards, they should be supported not derided.

Some politicians and pundits like to bad mouth public servants, particularly in an election year. This is not only unfair, it is mean spirited and wrong headed. Public servants are the people who keep the fundamentals of our society functioning. They often work long hours and get paid less than they deserve for the work they do for all of us. When we look at the many parts of civil society that are in crises (education, health care, policing, mental health, transportation, etc.), they are typically chronically underfunded (decade on decade). At the same time, there are politicians and pundits that say the government is too spendy. Sure, one could find some specific examples where there may be so called waste, but on the whole we all get great value for money from the public service. We should be supporting them.

A recent opinion piece in the Waikato Times argues 'Cuts to public service will just shunt costs elsewhere.' Across the ditch, economist Dr. Marc Robinson makes the case for a Bigger Government. When I think about all of the people and organisations that have been involved in Te Ara Paerangi / Future Pathways (making submissions, attending workshops, sitting on panels, or even just stirring the pot), I remember that all of it ends up on the desks of a small, dedicated group of public servants at MBIE. As far as I am aware, no one is tasked with this work full time without other projects as well. Just consider that for a moment. This is a massive undertaking, with so much at stake. Then look at all those other areas mentioned above, many of which are understaffed and underfunded as well.

‍ For my part, I thank all of the people in the public service for the work they do, even if I may not agree with some particular thing. I hope that you will thank them too and speak out when people deride them.