March has delivered another busy month of industrial action, legislative reform, and renewed focus on pay equity. From fuel depots to university campuses, the message from workers is clear: fairness and recognition are front of mind. Here’s what’s been happening—and what it could mean for people leaders across the country.
1. March Industrial Action
- PSA members at Oranga Tamariki began fresh strike action in March, protesting an “insulting” pay offer and unsustainable workloads.
- TEU members at the University of Auckland took a third day of industrial action since September, raising concerns about workloads, pay gaps, and a lack of meaningful negotiation.
- 850 Apex union members at Awanui, Pathlab and Medlab, took rolling strike action across the country, seeking to close the 30% pay gap with their Te Whatu Ora counterparts.
- Independent Petroleum Laboratory fuel workers, who are members of Workers First Union, walked off the job, citing exclusion from a company-wide bonus scheme.
2. Primary Care Nurses Secure Pay Increase
A new agreement will lift the pay of primary care nurses by 8% this year – 5% now and another 3% in July. The move has been welcomed by the NZNO as a long-overdue correction, helping address the pay gap between private and public sector nurses.
3. Current Pay Equity Claims
- NZNO is reigniting calls to advance pay equity claims for nurses, citing long delays and growing frustration across the workforce.
- Veterinary nurses, supported by Workers First Union, have submitted a pay equity claim on International Working Women’s Day—marking a sector-first move in their long campaign for recognition.
4. Wage Theft now a Crime
The Wage Theft Bill has passed its third reading, officially criminalising intentional underpayment and exploitation. While unions have welcomed the new protections, some employer groups are raising concerns around ambiguity and compliance complexity. The legislation brings New Zealand closer in line with international labour standards.
5. Living Wage Changes and Implications
The Living Wage will rise to $28.95 per hour from September 2025. At the same time, the Government has confirmed it will remove the requirement for public sector contractors to pay the Living Wage. Unions say the change could affect thousands of low-paid workers on government-funded contracts such as cleaning and security.