7 Jul 2011

DoC head defends position on job cuts

12:10 pm on 7 July 2011

The head of the Department of Conservation has defended his position on job cuts in the department before a select committee.

DoC announced last month that more than 100 jobs would go, mostly in support roles in its Wellington and regional offices.

The Green Party was upset that director-general Al Morrison did not mention this when he appeared before the Local Government and Environment Select Committee the day before the announcement.

Mr Morrison told the committee on Thursday that when he orginally appeared he was only asked very narrow questions about whether any science positions would be lost.

He said the point of a select committee is to answer questions that are asked - which he did.