NZ Engine

Source: NZCTU

This statement was originally published by The Post

The strikes planned by several unions on October 23 represent the biggest day of industrial action in decades. More than a hundred thousand union members spread across many occupations have voted to send a message that they expect their employers to respond properly to the claims they have put forward in negotiations.

These workers include primary and secondary teachers, teacher aids, allied health workers, care and support workers, advisory and knowledge workers, mental health and general nurses, and doctors. Other professions like fire fighters are also taking industrial action.

What these groups all have in common is that they are being confronted with a coordinated and deliberate bargaining strategy from the Public Service Commission and employers. That is to respond with long-term pay offers that are well under inflation. In other words, the employers are insisting that these workers take a pay cut in real terms, not just for this year, but for two or three years.

These disputes are about much more than pay rates. These workers have also raised numerous issues around the quality of service and care, especially around short staffing and resources. This has largely fallen on deaf ears. No meaningful proposal has been made on these issues, which go to the very heart of the disputes.

Taken together, the bargaining position of the employers, which will have been signed off by the Government, represents a downgrading of our public services, our health services, and our education services.

The public sector workforce is highly committed to providing what they were trained as professionals to do – deliver a quality service that supports communities to have a high quality of life. If they accept the paltry offers being put in front of them, they know service quality will suffer, and even more workers will head overseas.

The Government consistently demonstrates they are out of touch with the realities of workers. They have tried to portray the dispute as politically driven by unions – ignoring the fact that it is the workers themselves, not union officials, who have voted overwhelmingly to take this action.

The Prime Minister even falsely claimed that the unions taking action are affiliated to the Labour Party – in reality, none of these unions are affiliated to Labour. He is deliberately spreading misinformation to deflect from his Government’s failure to deliver quality public services.

The concerns over safe staffing, resources, and equipment are all long standing and have been raised year after year. There have been agreements to fix things that have not been honoured. Just a few months ago, these workers had their pay equity claims and settlements severely undermined by the Government, which has had a significant impact on their take home pay.

This Government promised to fix the cost-of-living crisis but are instead cutting wages for hundreds of thousands of public service workers.

The nature of industrial disputes is that reaching a fair settlement will ultimately require agreement between the parties.

The Government argues it can’t afford it to meet the claims. But workers are well aware that the Government found $23 billion over the past two budgets for tax cuts for high income earners, and tax breaks and write offs for landlords, tobacco companies, and businesses.  Workers understand its all about priorities, and that ministers could choose to prioritise the essential services and workers we all depend on.

Previous National-led governments have found ways through industrial disputes in the past. We need to see leadership not politics from this Government.

No one wants to take strike action if it can be reasonably avoided. Workers know there are impacts of strike action – but if there wasn’t no pressure could be brought on employers to change their position.

In fact, these workers have shown extraordinary patience. They have been in bargaining for many months, for some over a year. This simply can’t go on with the meaningless timewasting of employers who keep coming back with effectively the same offers.

It is condescending for the Government to accuse these workers of not caring about the impact of the strike. This workforce is dedicated to these services and fully understand that these disputes are not just about settling collective agreements, but also about protecting the public investment and long-term viability of these services. They are taking a stand for all of us, and we encourage the public to show their support.

We all depend on essential public services that are there when we need them. We need to show that we value these services not just with words, but by addressing the concerns brought to the negotiating table by the people who do the work.

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 300 new social homes will be delivered in Bay of Plenty by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Our Government backs social housing, and we’re determined to deliver it better. That means building the right homes, in the right places, with the right support, for the people most in need,” Mr Bishop says.

“Across New Zealand, CHPs and Kāinga Ora have delivered over 6,800 net new social homes since November 2023, with 539 of those places being in Bay of Plenty.

“On top of that, the Government has committed funding for more than 2,000 additional homes to be delivered by CHPs over the next two years. Bay of Plenty is one of the regions benefiting from this pipeline.”

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated social homes based on regional need, which has been assessed using a range of factors including the housing register and emergency housing use.

“In Bay of Plenty, the CHP projects are expected to deliver:

• At least 300+ new social homes to be delivered by CHPs including Accessible Properties Ltd and Emerge Aotearoa
• The new homes will be located in places such as Ngongotahā, Te Puke, Greerton, Lynmore and Papamoa
• Over 85 percent of places are one or two-bedrooms which will help address the greatest gap in social housing supply in Bay of Plenty
  “Half of those waiting for a home nationally need a one-bedroom property, yet only 12 percent of Kāinga Ora’s stock meets that need. In the Bay of Plenty, 82 per cent of the Housing Register demand is for one- and two-bedroom places so these new homes will make a real difference,” Mr Bishop says.

“Every set of keys handed over is another person or family in a warm, dry social home. We’re focused not just on delivering more homes, but on delivering the right homes that match the needs of people and communities.

“The Government’s wider reset of the social housing system is already showing results. Recently the Community Housing Funding Agency achieved an A+ credit rating from S&P Global, and last week we announced the introduction of a new loan guarantee scheme, reducing borrowing costs for CHPs and enabling them to deliver more homes.

“We’re simplifying the funding system so providers can get on with building homes, instead of navigating a confusing web of overlapping funds. These Bay of Plenty projects are a good example of the progress being made.”

Delivery is well underway on the first tranche, which includes around 100 homes from CHPs including Accessible Properties Ltd and Emerge Aotearoa. We expect all of the 300+ homes to be delivered between now and 2027. 

Source: New Zealand Police

A man has died following a fire at a Riwaka address yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the property about 10.50am on Sunday after a report of a house fire.

One person was initially unaccounted for. Sadly, they were located deceased after the fire was extinguished.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the fire are ongoing, and the man’s death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 340 patients in the lower South Island have been able to access advanced cancer diagnostics closer to home through fortnightly visits from a mobile PET-CT service to Dunedin, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This has been a gamechanger for patients in the lower South Island who need a PET-CT scan,” Mr Brown says. 

“Patients are now benefiting from easier access to high-quality cancer imaging, without the need to travel long distances for scans. The mobile service now visits Dunedin Hospital for three days every fortnight.

“Until December last year, most patients in the region who required a PET-CT scan were referred to Christchurch. Now, the majority are referred to the mobile imaging unit at Dunedin Hospital, with 347 patients scanned so far. 

“This means earlier diagnosis, faster treatment decisions, and less stress for patients and their families.”

PET-CT imaging is an advanced technology used to diagnose and stage cancer, giving doctors a much clearer picture than traditional CT scans. By showing the exact location and extent of cancer, it helps clinicians make more informed decisions about treatment. In around 18 to 25 percent of cases, the results can lead to changes that improve how a patient’s care is managed.

Mr Brown says increasing access to diagnostics closer to home is a priority for the Government. 

“This service is improving access for patients and ensuring those in the lower South Island can receive world-class diagnostic care closer to home. 

“We are committed to ensuring patients in every part of New Zealand have access to the same quality services, no matter where they live.”

Source: Maritime New Zealand

As Safer Boating Week 2025 gets underway, a new ambassador for safety will start bobbing in the waves around the country.

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on SH1 near Karapiro. 

Police were called about 2.55pm.

Fortunately there have been no injuries reported, however the crash has caused damage to the median barrier. 

Motorists should anticipate potential delays in the area while emergency services and contractors work at the scene this afternoon. 

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Government

Promoting opportunities for investment and collaboration in the development of New Zealand’s natural resources is at the top of the agenda during three upcoming international mining and geothermal conferences, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

Mr Jones leaves tomorrow for the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney, Australia. He will speak to attendees on the growing momentum in New Zealand’s mineral sector.

“We are in the midst of a resource renaissance with strong growth in permit applications, driven by interest in gold and other minerals. This is bolstered by the policy settings the Coalition Government has put in place that lay the foundations for an enduring, productive mining sector,” Mr Jones says.

“We are now actively working to rebuild international investor confidence in our mining opportunities, which means we need to be proactive and visible on the international stage. New Zealand will return to this year’s conference as an exhibitor, supported by local operators keen to collaborate with new partners.

“IMARC attracts the sector’s most influential international operators and investors, and I look forward to providing them with an update on the progress we have made since my speech last year, as well as putting the call out for responsible operators who want to partner with us to realise our minerals potential.”

Following IMARC, Mr Jones travels to the United States to attend two major geothermal conferences, the Indigenous Geothermal Symposium and the Geothermal Rising Conference, where he will promote New Zealand’s supercritical geothermal energy exploration.

“Doubling the production of geothermal energy by 2040 for electricity generation and direct heat applications is part of my ambitious plan to harness the vast potential of New Zealand’s geothermal resources,” Mr Jones says.

“New Zealand’s long-standing leadership and expertise in geothermal energy is well known around the world but it is our work to harness the potential of supercritical geothermal energy that I will be promoting. 

“Our early-stage exploration could help prove the viability of supercritical geothermal energy, which has the potential to deliver several times the power output of conventional geothermal. This groundbreaking work could be a game-changer for how the world utilises geothermal resources. 

“My message is one of ambition. We are leading the world in the development of technology to unlock a new generation of geothermal – and we are looking for global collaboration, across disciplines and borders, to do it.”

The Minister returns to New Zealand on 1 November.

Source: New Zealand Government

Biosecurity, Food Safety and Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard travels to Chile today to represent New Zealand at the World Dairy Summit.

“The World Dairy Summit is the leading event in the annual global dairy calendar, bringing together farmers, processors, scientists, marketers, and policymakers from more than 60 countries,” Mr Hoggard says.

Our farmers set global standards for efficiency, and we should highlight their successes internationally.

I’m looking forward to discussing our innovative, sustainable, and high-quality dairy products with partners and customers at upcoming panels, including the Leaders Forum.

More than 80 percent of people around the world rely on dairy to meet their nutritional needs, the sector is also estimated to contribute to the livelihoods of more than 600 million people.

Together, we can champion dairy as a vital source of nutrition and highlight the essential role it plays in supporting economies across the globe.

The dairy sector will play a significant role in doubling the value of New Zealand’s exports by 2034 and the Government is committed to growing our $27 billion dairy sector.

Attending the World Dairy Summit reinforces our commitment to opening doors for our dairy sector to support the success of Kiwi farmers and processors.”

Minister Hoggard will also visit Argentina to meet with New Zealand agribusinesses, and to Uruguay to officially open a new manufacturing facility built by Auckland BioSciences, a New Zealand life sciences company known for producing high-quality animal sera.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Traffic Light System expands from tomorrow with the launch of two more non-financial sanctions focused on job searches and upskilling, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.

“Starting from Monday, people failing an obligation for the first time will face two new alternatives to financial sanctions,” Louise Upston says.

“In addition to the Money Management and Community Work Experience non-financial sanctions launched earlier this year, we’re also introducing:

“Job seekers will need to provide evidence of their activity at the end of their sanction period to return to the green setting of the Traffic Light System,” Louise Upston says

“These obligations were passed by Parliament in May and they aren’t unduly onerous – they’re basic expectations.  They reinforce accountability for those failing to meet their obligations, while also recognising that reducing benefits isn’t the answer for everyone.

“It’s also important to reinforce that the vast majority of job seekers are fulfilling their obligations, with less than 2 per cent at the red or orange settings.  The 98.5 per cent of job seekers at green are committed to finding work, and MSD is fully committed to supporting them to do so.

“If that’s the case, people won’t face sanctions, financial or otherwise.

“Our Government is particularly focused on reducing benefit dependency in young people, and we’ve already introduced a number of initiatives such as a phone-based employment case management service. We’ve got 4,000 places for young people to get community job coaching. We’ve also got more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their benefit obligations.

“We have also announced that if parents can support their 18-19 years old they should, and a $1000 bonus for those who stay off the benefit for more than a year. 

“Overall, all these changes are about ensuring a welfare system which proactively supports those who can work to get off the benefit and into employment, contributing to the Government’s target to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030.

“From a wider perspective, we know economic times continue to be challenging but we want people to be ready when jobs come. The Traffic Light system reinforces that expectation.”

Source: New Zealand Government

To the patients, students and families affected by this week’s planned strike,

The Government regrets the impact on you, your children and your families that is expected on Thursday because of a strike planned by a number of unions. 

We regret even more that the strike appears to be politically motivated by the unions. 

What else could possibly explain that in early October, when we were trying to negotiate with the secondary teachers’ union, the number one item on their agenda for a meeting with Education Minister Erica Stanford was Palestine. 

Palestine.  Not terms and conditions. Not student achievement. Not the new curriculum. Palestine. That’s not what students or parents should expect.

So, to all the parents of senior students – most who have already endured ongoing interruptions throughout their schooling and who are now missing two crucial days of classes less than two weeks out from NCEA exams – I urge you to ask your children’s teachers to question their union’s priorities.

And to all the parents of younger children, who have had to rearrange their usual commitments, I urge you to ask your children’s teachers why their union arranged a strike in a week when many schools already have teacher only days, followed by Labour Day on Monday. 

The Government has acted in good faith, and we have met unions’ demands for pay increases in line with inflation. Our request that teacher-only days and professional development be undertaken in school holidays to reduce disruption to students and families was refused.

To the estimated more than 6000 New Zealanders who have had medical appointments and procedures postponed due to the strike, I know some of you are living in pain, and in fear of a possible diagnosis that will now be delayed. 

This industrial action is unfair and unwarranted.  

Health Minister Simeon Brown even wrote to the Chair of Health New Zealand, and Association of Salaried Medical Specialists union seeking their agreement to attend binding arbitration, and for the union to not proceed with the strike action. Health New Zealand agreed. The union refused.

The Government values nurses, doctors and other health workers whose dedicated care every day supports patients, just as we value teachers, principals and teacher aides. We value all public sector employees.  

The Government also has a responsibility to manage the country’s finances carefully, especially when money is tight.

From cancer drugs to social housing, from support for vulnerable people to conservation initiatives, there are thousands of appeals for increased spending, as well as for wage increases.

The country is simply not earning enough to meet all these calls.

After a huge increase in public spending over Covid and in the following years, public debt exploded. In the financial year ending in June 2025, New Zealand spent $8.9 billion just servicing debt. This was more than the Government spent on Police, Corrections, the Ministry of Justice, Customs and Defence combined.

Only by New Zealand becoming wealthier can we afford to spend more.

We have made numerous offers to key unions, and in some cases, these have been rejected without even being put to union members.

The Government wants settlements, and New Zealanders want certainty that hospitals and schools and other services will operate as normal. It is only unions who want strikes. We ask, once again, for them to come to the table. That is the place to talk and to bargain.

THE FACTS: 

Teachers: 

The latest offer to primary teachers means 66 percent will be paid a base salary of at least $100,000 within 12 months of ratification – up from 40 percent currently.
The latest offer to secondary teachers means 76 percent will be paid a base salary of at least $100,000 from 29 October 2025 – up from 60 percent currently. 
The latest offers come on top of the $53 million the Government is spending to pay teachers’ registration and levies, of up to $550 per teacher.
Teachers will continue to enjoy very generous annual leave provisions 

Senior doctors: 

The latest offer would have provided a salary increase of at least 5 percent over two years, with the ability to provide an additional increase for first-year specialists. These increases are additional to the $5900 annual step increase senior doctors receive until they reach the top of the 15-step pay scale.
In addition, a $40 million fund is proposed for distribution to senior doctors in recognition of the value of their work and to support the workforce. 

Nurses: 

The average salary for both Senior and Registered Nurses is $125,662, which includes overtime, a professional development allowance and penal rates. Under the offer, nurses on the top step would have had a 2 percent increase in June 2025 – an extra $2135 per year – with another 1 percent increase in June next year. 
Under the June offer, a graduate nurse on $75,773 would have received 2 percent from 2 June 2025 – an extra $1515 per year. A year later, their salary would have increased to $83,317 – a total increase of $7544 or $145 per week. On 1 June 2026 they would have received an additional 1 percent increase, taking their salary to $84,150. That’s a total pay increase of $8377, or 11 percent, by 1 June 2026.

Public v private sector: 

Public sector wages grew 2.8 percent in the year to June 2025
Private sector wage growth was 2.3 percent in the year to June 2025