KEY POINTS:
The new government employs fewer ministerial staff than the last one but it is paying higher salaries, figures released today show.
The Labour government had 176 staff in October last year with 34 of them in the prime minister's office.
In January the National-led government had 150 with 24 in the prime minister's office.
Only two of Labour's staff were paid more than $150,000 but National has seven in that salary band.
Labour had none in the $140,000 to $150,000 band but National has two.
Of Labour's total, 38 were in the $80,000 to $90,000 band while National has 19.
Labour paid 41 of its staff less than $50,000 while National has 28 in the lowest band.
The figures, released by Prime Minister John Key's office in response to Official Information Act inquiries, also show National is employing fewer press secretaries than Labour did.
Labour had a total of 47 while National has 33.
Under National, 10 are earning more than $120,000 while Labour had only three in that category.
It is paying three between $110,000 and $120,000 while Labour had one in that band.
Labour paid 17 of its press secretaries between $80,000 and $90,000 while National has eight in that salary band.
A spokesman for Mr Key said all staff positions had been filled and the focus had been on quality.
He said press secretaries had been hired in a tight Wellington market which was paying high salaries for communications staff.
- NZPA
