‘I’ve got no idea’: Luxon surprised to hear government department jobs have biggest pay increases

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed surprise upon learning that government departments are currently providing the highest pay increases in the country. The Prime Minister’s reaction occurred during a recent public engagement, highlighting a disconnect between government administration and current wage growth data across the public sector.

This development underscores ongoing scrutiny regarding public sector expenditure and wage trends within New Zealand. Luxon’s stated lack of awareness regarding these specific salary increases reflects broader discussions about the government's fiscal management and the performance of its various departments.