Aotearoa is standing up for pay equity. Respect us. Value us. Pay us. Together for pay equity.
What is pay equity?
We all deserve pay that values our work and contribution. Pay equity means jobs of equal value get equal pay - regardless of gender.
Think about it this way: A support worker helping someone with disabilities live independently, making complex decisions and requiring specialised training, should earn similar pay to a male-dominated job with the same level of skill and responsibility. But they don't.
A social worker supporting families in crisis, managing heavy caseloads and requiring university qualifications, uses complex skills-yet earns less than jobs with equivalent demands in male-dominated fields.
This isn't an accident. It's because work traditionally done by women has historically been undervalued.
What has happened?
In 2017, care and support workers across New Zealand achieved a historic victory. After years of fighting, we proved in court that their low pay was due to gender discrimination. This led to the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2020.
The PSA settled five pay equity claims, lifting wages for home support workers, librarian assistants, probation officers, and administrators.
6 May 2025 - Attack on pay equity: Without warning,the Government rammed through Parliament sweeping changes that:
• Cancelled every pay equity claim - 33 claims covering 150,000+ workers abolished overnight
• Raised thresholds - teachers and corrections staff (68% women) now blocked from claims
• Blocked comparisons - workers can only compare within their own sector, making claims impossible
• Made processes unworkable - support workers now need hundreds of separate claims instead of three
• Raised the bar - workers must prove discrimination before investigations begin
• Removed protections - no reviews when pay equity erodes over time
We must keep the pressure on and demand the Government restore the claims, undo their damaging law changes, and deliver full settlements to all workers left waiting.
Here's how you can help
Come along to Protect Pay Equity events
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) will list upcoming pay equity events on its website:
Details of pay equity events
Join your union
One of the most effective things you can do to support pay equity is join your union. Unions are at the forefront at the fight for pay equity, and joining will add to their collective strength.
If you're not already a union member, find out which union covers your work:
Make a submission to the People's Select Committee
The People’s Select Committee has been established so the voices of the people of Aotearoa can be heard on pay equity.
Find out more about the Committee
You have a right to stand up for pay equity
If you work for public, health, or community services, the state sector, or local government, you can be publicly active and vocal about protecting pay equity when you’re outside of work. You should take precautions to keep yourself safe.
Learn more about your right to take political action.
Your vote matters
At the 2026 election, vote for parties committed to fair pay for the people who care for our disabled, support our most vulnerable, and strengthen our communities.
