We have just celebrated PSA’s membership reaching 90,000 strong. We are now excited to celebrate the number of PSA members who identify as Māori and collectively, as Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina has passed the 10,300 mark and is still growing.

The increase in Māori membership is important at a time of uncertainty for workers in the public service with the election of a new government coalition. More Māori workers joining the PSA gives Māori a stronger voice to challenge the coalition’s policies of reducing the public service and its ability to deliver services to Māori.

The growing strength of our Māori membership means that the PSA, through Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina, has more influence on the Crown continuing to meet its obligations to Māori under Te Tiriti by supporting Māori and in particular kaimahi Māori who are working hard to deliver services.

This includes improving the way the government delivers public and community services that value and support Māori workers to ensure equitable outcomes to Māori, challenging any attempts to reduce and undo these services and their support.

Members who identify as Māori make up more than 11% of the union membership. And with more than 1400 delegates identifying as Māori, which is 33.2% of total PSA delegates,
members of Te Rūnanga are stepping up and doing the mahi on behalf of the wider membership.

Nearly 48% of members who identify as Māori work in the Public Service sector, with about 22% working in the Health Sector, nearly 12% in Community and Public Services, more than 10% in the State Sector, and nearly 9% in Local Government.

Sharing the significant value that the growing numbers of Māori in the PSA brings to the public sector, with, and on behalf of Māori, offers Māori workers the opportunity to become more resilient with a stronger voice in these uncertain times, not just for Māori but for all workers.

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