The job cuts include 53 foreign policy or diplomatic roles, of which 39 were senior positions, and 93 back office roles. Proposals to cut the allowances of diplomats serving overseas, such as spousal allowances, had largely been abandoned.
Mr Goff said even at that level, the cleanout was too much. Mr Goff said the restructuring process had been handled "bysmally" and the damage had already been done.
The backdown follows a revolt by senior diplomats after the proposals were first outlined by ministry head John Allen.
Diplomats wrote a joint letter warning of the consequences to New Zealand's work on the international stage if the changes went ahead, and were subsequently flown back to Wellington for two days of talks about the changes.
If Mr Goff's papers are correct, it shows a u-turn on all of the most contentious proposals - including a requirement that staff returning from overseas posting have to apply for another job within the department.
