The Labour Party says almost a quarter of Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff could be sacked as a result of cost-cutting.
Last month the ministry said it expected about 200 jobs would be cut under proposed changes.
But Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Goff says the figure is closer to 300 people.
He says there is no problem with cutting unnecessary spending, but there is a real danger in a slash and burn approach that will see core front-line staff out of work.
