Media Statement: Defending Fairness and Inclusion
Updated: Mar 10, 2025
Business & Professional Women Condemn Attack on Women in the Public Service
8 March 2025
The Federation of Business & Professional Women New Zealand (BPW NZ) condemns the introduction of a Member's Bill which will remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles from the public service.
"Diversity and inclusion is about ensuring fairness, representation, and the best outcomes for all New Zealanders," said President Janet Gibb.
"A public service that represents all New Zealanders leads to better policy, better decision-making, and better outcomes.
"Removing these principles from public service recruitment and leadership will take us backwards, undermining decades of progress towards the economic empowerment of women and increases in business performance.
“Research shows that increasing the number of women in a workplace leads to an increase in the bottom line and more sustainable outcomes for businesses and communities.
“We urge all political and community leaders to reject this regressive proposal and to stand by the values of fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
“Now is not the time to play with people’s lives by reducing the performance of the public sector,” says Ms Gibb.
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Janet Gibb
President
Business & Professional Women’s New Zealand
