The Inland Revenue Department is cutting jobs in several of its smaller provincial offices, including almost half its staff in Greymouth.
Thirteen fulltime positions are to go in Timaru and six in Gisborne.
Greymouth is to lose eight out of 17 fulltime jobs. Earlier this week, it was announced 144 mine workers will lose their jobs as a result of the Pike River disaster on the West Coast.
IRD acting deputy commissioner of service delivery, Heather Daly, says options for relocating and retraining staff are being explored.
Ms Daly says work that does not require face-to-face contact, such as processing and letter writing, is being grouped in larger centres.
IRD will maintain offices in all its current locations, she says.
