The Labour Party has criticised proposed job cuts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and named the embassy in the Swedish capital Stockholm as one likely to be closed.
The ministry on Tuesday confirmed that about 200 jobs were expected to go after March, but Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Goff says he has heard the number will be closer to 260.
Mr Goff says the plan will mean about 90% of staff will be forced to reapply for their jobs, which is devastating for morale, and a number of overseas posts are also set to be closed.
Phil Goff says the cuts put at risk New Zealand's ability to promote itself to the world in terms of trade and international policy.
