Trimming the fat : change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Abstract

On 21 March 2012, John Allen, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) received an unusual letter. It came from Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and it set out, over four pages, the Minister's significant concerns with Allen's proposals to radically reform the Ministry. The proposal would see 305 of the 1340 staff lose their jobs, and a further 600 needing to reapply for theirs. Major changes to the employment conditions of diplomats and closures of posts were also proposed. This is a case that lends itself to a number of discussion areas including leadership, change management, ministerial relationships and making the transition from the private to the public sector. It could also be used to examine the role of the media. Teaching notes available Reference no 413-116-8