Public servants are digging in for a fight against the government's planned cuts to the public service, warning the country will pay the price for years to come.
National campaigned on slashing spending across 24 public agencies, but the Finance Minister has since asked all departments to identify areas where cuts can be made.
Assistant Secretary of the Public Service Association Fleur Fitzsimons says the extent of the cuts was not signalled.
Fitzsimons spoke to Charlotte Cook.
