Hundreds of public servants have today been told they could soon be out of a job as the Coalition's promised cuts begin to bite.
The Ministry of Primary Industries has proposed slashing its workforce by a 10th - almost 400 roles.
While the Health Ministry has informed its staff of an imminent downsizing - with 180 positions to be disestablished.
The news comes on the same day as the country was declared to be back in a recession.
Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch speaks to Lisa Owen.