TĒNĀ KOUTOU E TE WHĀNAU O TE PŪKENGA HERE TIKANGA MAHI,

Welcome to the Local Body Elections edition of Te Mahinga Ora.

In it you’ll find a wealth of information to help you as you think about how you will vote in your local body elections, which are running from Tuesday 9 September to Saturday 11 October.

By voting in elections for our city, district and regional councils we can have our say on things important to our communities like the provision of libraries, pools, community centres, recycling and rubbish collection.

As members of the union representing 12,000 local government workers, and a union that advocates strongly for well-funded public and community services, we have even more reason for taking an interest in whom we elect.

Some of the things you may want to think about when deciding how to vote include: do the candidates support public services? Are they calling for council job cuts? And, do they want to privatise council assets?

In this issue, you can find the pledges PSA is putting to candidates across the motu, asking them to commit to acting in the interests of our members, our communities, and our environment. We also profile some of the PSA members who are standing for election.

In many parts of the country, electors are also being asked to vote on the retention of Māori wards. As a union honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi, we support Māori having fair representation across all our governing bodies, including local government.

Māori wards help affirm rights guaranteed to Māori as tangata whenua under te Tiriti o Waitangi by ensuring Māori have representation on councils. Māori wards also help bring communities together to add different perspectives and knowledge, so our councils can make better long term decisions for everyone.

You can read an insightful discussion of the benefits of Māori wards, in the Last Word column written by former Local Government Minister Hon. Nanaia Mahuta.

Another issue we profile in Te Mahinga Ora that is likely to spark debate in many local elections, will be the issue of councils paying the living wage. Many councils have introduced the living wage for workers, which has made a big difference to community wellbeing. But the Government’s pressuring of councils to save money puts living wage initiatives at risk, so you may want to check out where candidates stand on this important issue.

Local councils have a large part to play in protecting our environment and the PSA’s Eco Network shares some ideas in a column on page 24 on how your vote matters in the fight to protect te taiao.

There are several important issues we need to decide on at these elections. It’s important each of us make sure our voice is heard by voting. Please take the time to register and vote, and encourage your friends and whānau to do so as well.

Finally in this issue of Te Mahinga Ora we farewell Kerry Davies, who retired in August after serving six years as National Secretary and after 40 years in the union movement.

I want to thank Kerry on behalf of all members for making a huge contribution to the union movement and for workers. She leaves the PSA in good heart to keep up its advocacy for members when it is needed more than ever. We wish her well on her next adventure.

Ngā mihi,
Virgil D. Iraia

We want a better deal for our members working in local government, and we want all of us to have thriving local communities. It aligns with our long-term goals, our values, and our kaupapa.

ADVOCATING FOR VALUED, PUBLICLY OWNED SERVICES

Our campaign supports policies that allow local government to foster community and act with the community’s interests at heart. This includes keeping services and assets in local control, so councils can make pragmatic, considered decisions, and plan for future generations.

We’re also supporting living wage for council workers and pay equity for library workers – policies to ensure people working in local government are properly valued and respected.

SUPPORTING MĀORI WARDS TO LOOK AFTER PEOPLE AND OUR PLANET

This year, 42 councils will be voting on whether to keep their Māori ward. We support Māori wards and are joining communities around the motu that are campaigning to keep them. Māori wards are a positive solution to division and diversion, a way for councils to become a better reflection of our communities, and a way to help harness our collective strength.

Recently we’ve opposed the Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards bills, and supported Hīkoi Mō Te Tiriti. Supporting Māori wards is an extension of this kaupapa.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

With 66 local councils and 11 regional councils holding elections, alongside the 42 Māori ward referenda, local groups organising in their rohe will be key to this campaign.

You know your communities – what’s going on locally and what the big issues are. By coming together with other PSA members and allies in your area, you can organise around local issues to have a real impact on your local election.

Visit psa.org.nz/local2025 for more information about how you can get involved and the resources and support available. And keep an eye on our social media channels for content promoting the importance of valued, publicly owned services and Māori wards.

The PSA is over 96,000 people living, paying rates and voting all over the country, including over 12,000 people working in local government. It’s in all our interests to vote for councils that can make better, long-term decisions that benefit ourselves, our whānau, and our communities.

PSA MEMBERS SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENCE CUTS

Many PSA members working in science attended a recent Save Science Coalition workshop at Parliament, hosted by Opposition MPs Scott Willis (Green Party) and Reuben Davidson (Labour Party). This event was an opportunity to hear perspectives on the damage that recent cuts to the science system has caused, and look to the future and discuss what is really needed.

Much of the discussion focused on the difference between commercialisation of science (a hot topic of the current Government), and public good science. We need public good science for a prosperous country, but it doesn’t show up clearly on a balance sheet. Examples of public good science include research into public health or mitigating the risks of climate change or other natural hazards.

Participants and MPs were all enthusiastic about the need to improve our science system, which often comes back to addressing persistent underfunding over a long period of time, which has been drastically exacerbated recently by the current Government’s actions.

The Coalition hopes the Green and Labour parties can incorporate the feedback collected at the event into their policy positions on science ahead of the next election.

The Coalition is planning its next actions so it can continue highlighting the issues raised by its members.

The PSA is a proud member of the Save Science Coalition – a group of 30 organisations, including unions and scientific societies, working together to advocate for a well-funded and well-functioning science and research system.

PROTECT PAY EQUITY PETITION DELIVERED

93,924 voices with one clear call: protect pay equity. Undo the coalition Government’s damage to the Equal Pay Act. Pay women holding society together in health, education, community, and whānau mahi every cent of what they’re worth. Value those professions and all workers in them.

On 23 July, unions affiliated to the Council of Trade Unions (including the PSA, E tū, NZNO, NZEI and others) presented a petition with 93,924 signatures to opposition MPs on the Parliament forecourt.

Attended by about 300 union members and supporters, the petition handover was preceded by speeches from PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons, E tū President Muriel Tunoho, and Newlands College rangatahi Meg.

The petition handover represented a major milestone in the ongoing fight for pay equity. Thousands of New Zealanders of all genders had the opportunity to express their anger and grief over the loss of pay equity, as well as the way the changes to it were subversively rushed through Parliament.

The petition handover was not the end of the campaign for pay equity. The PSA is planning more action, including regional events and a National Day of Action in September.

Watch our social channels for more information on how to get involved!

PSA NATIONAL DELEGATE HONOURED AT DOC AWARDS

The Department of Conservation marked the Māori New Year with Matariki Awards, recognising the outstanding contributions of their staff to enhance te taiao – the natural world.

The Matariki (Supreme Award) winner was Don Neale, a National PSA Delegate based in Hokitika on the West Coast.

For more than 35 years, Don’s career exemplified a dedicated commitment to marine conservation, where he has significantly advanced understanding of our coastal environments.

His expertise shaped approaches to coastal management that balance conservation needs with community interests.

One of his most remarkable contributions is the successful establishment of five fully protected marine reserves – Kahurangi, Punakaiki, Waiau Glacier Coast, Hautai and Tauparikākā. These reserves safeguard 17,500 hectares of ocean ecosystems and helped expand New Zealand’s protected marine areas.

These reserves protect vital habitats and species, including Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, blue penguins and Fiordland-crested penguins, ensuring future generations can experience the richness of our marine environment.

His success is built on his ability to collaborate with iwi, local communities and conservation groups to ensure these reserves reflect environmental and cultural values.

Don spent years strengthening conservation education, inspiring people of all ages to connect with and protect our moana. His contributions extend beyond his conservation work. His longstanding involvement in his local Hokitika community further demonstrates his dedication to fostering community connection and his passion for people is reflect in his many years of work as a PSA delegate, advocating and supporting his DOC colleagues on the West Coast.

Whether championing marine protection or nurturing local culture, Don’s impact is one of service, resilience and community-building – this makes him an outstanding recipient of this award.

Copy sourced from DoC.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

We’re giving away three copies of Slowing the Sun by Nadine Hura. Would you like to read this book? Email us at communications@psa.org.nz with the subject: BOOK GIVEAWAY. Winners will be contacted on September 15th!

‍

The referenda were triggered by the Government repealing the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021, which had allowed councils to establish Māori wards without a referendum. The repeal reintroduces binding referenda – a tool historically used to block Māori representation. This is one of many Government decisions that negatively impact Māori and Māori workers in public and community services, and that the PSA has and continues to oppose.

EMBEDDING MĀORI REPRESENTATION

Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina (Te Rūnanga), representing our Māori PSA members, has long advocated for justice, equity, and a Te Tiriti-based Aotearoa, upheld by its public and community services. Supporting Māori wards shines a light on the actions of this Government against Māori and kaimahi Māori, and a continuation of our opposition to the Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards bills.

Māori wards are essential for upholding Te Tiriti obligations and ensuring Māori have a say in decisions that impact their communities. Māori representation must be more than symbolic – it must be embedded in the structures of public governance.

We know this because of our lived experience. Te Rūnanga members, many of whom work in frontline public services, see daily how systemic inequities affect Māori. They know that without Māori voices at the decision-making table, policies often fail to reflect the realities of Māori communities.

A NECESSARY MECHANISM FOR MĀORI VOICE

Te Rūnanga supports the finding of the 2025 Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry on Māori Wards, that Māori wards are a matter of justice, not politics. The Māori Wards and Constituencies Urgent Inquiry (WAI 3365), launched in response to the Government’s law change, challenged the reasoning and impact of the move by this Government.

The Tribunal’s report found that the Crown failed to uphold key principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including active protection, equity, and partnership. It concluded that the repeal process lacked meaningful consultation with Māori and undermined their right to participate in local decision-making. The report emphasized that Māori wards are not a privilege – they are a necessary mechanism to ensure Māori voices are heard in local government, where decisions directly affect whenua, wai, and whānau.

A MODERN EXPRESSION OF RANGATIRATANGA

Support for Māori wards among iwi Māori is strong and deeply rooted in tikanga and whakapapa. Māori wards provide a pathway for iwi to engage with councils on issues like resource management, housing, and climate resilience. They ensure that decisions affecting Māori land and taonga are made with Māori input, not imposed on Māori from outside.

Iwi leaders have emphasized that Māori Wards are a modern expression of rangatiratanga – the right of Māori to govern themselves and participate fully in civic life. They are also a practical tool for building relationships between councils and iwi, fostering collaboration on shared goals like protecting the environment and the wellbeing of our communities.

They foster good, fair processes, reduce the risk of litigation, and benefit all ratepayers as councils work together with the communities they represent for a truly equitable future that recognises the past.

WHY YOUR VOTE MATTERS

The 2025 local elections are not just about choosing councillors – they are about choosing values. Supporting Māori wards pushes back against a broader agenda that includes privatisation, cuts to public services, and rolling back climate action. These issues disproportionately affect Māori and working-class communities.

Voting for Māori wards, and candidates that support pay equity, the living wage, and climate justice, is to vote as part of a movement for fairness, inclusion, and Te Tiriti-based governance.

Imagine a council where Māori voices are not just heard but respected. Where decisions about water, housing, and public services are made in partnership with iwi. Where frontline workers have the resources they need to serve all their communities with dignity. This is the vision that Māori wards help make possible.

We’ve helped expose the injustice of the repeal and laid the groundwork for a more inclusive future. Now, it’s up to us to carry that momentum forward.

VOTE FOR JUSTICE, VOTE FOR MĀORI WARDS

As you fill out your ballot this September, remember what’s at stake. Māori wards are not just a policy – they are a promise. A promise to honour te Tiriti, to empower communities, and to build a future where everyone has a voice.

Te Rūnanga stands up for that promise. Make your voice be heard and stand with us.

“Kotahi te aho ka whati, ki te kāpuia e kore e whati.”

“One strand of flax is easy to break, but many strands together will stand strong."

By voting, you have your say on things like libraries, pools, community centres, recycling and rubbish collection – in fact, everything from footpaths to the long-term plan for your community. Here’s a quick rundown of what you vote for, the voting systems, and where to find more information.

THE POSITIONS YOU’RE VOTING FOR

• The mayor of your city or district
• Local ward councillors. Each council’s territory is divided into areas called wards. To make sure everyone is represented, a set number of councillors is elected from each ward. If you’re on the general roll, you’ll vote for councillors to represent the ward you live in.
• Māori ward councillors. In many places, if you’re on the Māori roll, you’ll vote for a councillor to represent a Māori ward. Māori wards represent Māori who otherwise might not have a voice in local decisions, and contribute to the wider community. Not every council has a Māori ward.
• Regional councillors. The 11 regional councils manage natural resources, environmental issues, and public transport. You can vote for regional councillors if you live within areas covered by a regional council.
• Depending on where you live, you may also get to vote for local and community boards (which provide another level of local representation), licensing trusts, and some other organisations.

MĀORI WARD REFERENDA

This year, in many areas, you’ll also vote on whether to keep your council’s Māori ward. The outcome of the poll will be implemented in the 2028 local election.

HOW YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED

First Past the Post

Most local authorities – 62 out of 77 – use First Past the Post (FPP) voting. With FPP you get one vote and the candidate that wins the most votes, wins the election.

Simple? Yes. But it’s also a blunt tool. Because it’s a winner-takes-all approach, FPP results may not reflect the wishes of a significant number of voters.

Single Transferable Vote

To ensure the election results are more proportional to how people actually vote, 15 local authorities use a different voting system called Single Transferable Vote (STV).

With STV you still receive a single vote. But on your ballot, you rank the candidates in order of your preference – writing “1” next to the name of your favourite candidate, “2” next to your second favourite candidate, and so on.

If your favourite candidate doesn’t need all their votes to be elected, or does not get enough votes to be elected, your vote is transferred to your second favourite candidate. You can rank as many or as few candidates as you like. Votes are transferred until enough candidates get enough votes to fill all the positions being voted for.

WHERE IS STV USED?

STV is used in elections for Dunedin City Council, Far North District Council, Gisborne District Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Kāpiti Coast District Council, Marlborough District Council, Nelson City Council, New Plymouth District Council, Otago Regional Council, Palmerston North City Council, Porirua City Council, Ruapehu District Council, Wellington City Council and Whangārei District Council.

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION

Each local authority runs its own election. To find the most relevant information about when, how and where to enrol and vote in your area, visit your local council’s website.

These pledges reflect key priorities for the PSA’s local government sector:

• Will you commit to supporting the establishment and retention of Māori wards in your council? If yes, how will you demonstrate this support in policy and action?
• Will you commit if elected to support the council paying a living wage to all directly employed and contracted staff?
• Will you commit to ensuring pay equity for council staff, including lifting library staff pay to reflect fair and equitable rates?
• Will you pledge to prioritise climate resilience in council planning?
• Will you ensure infrastructure upgrades respond to flood risks and sea-level rise?
• Will you support greater investment in public transport and active mobility infrastructure, especially in rural or underserved communities?
• Will you commit to councils continuing to directly deliver essential local services?
• Will you rule out selling shares or ownership stakes in key local assets?
• Will you commit to policies that recognise and support the critical role council workers play in strengthening local communities and delivering public services?
• Will you commit to upholding high standards of conduct for elected members, including respectful behaviour online and on social media?

We’ve asked candidates across the motu to commit to these pledges. Click the links below so see how the candidates responded.

North and West Auckland candidate pledges

South and East Auckland candidate pledges

Palmerston North candidate pledges

Porirua candidate pledges

Upper Hutt candidate pledges

Hutt City candidate pledges

Wellington City candidate pledges

Christchurch candidate pledges

Dunedin candidate pledges

And you can take these pledges along to other election events to ask candidates and see if their priorities align with ours.

All of these candidates have committed to all of our local election pledges.

AFNAN AL-RUBAYEE – WELLINGTON CITY

A mother, a public servant, a part-time university student and a PSA member for about four years, Afnan is standing for Labour for a seat on the Wellington City Council.

Afnan came to Wellington with her parents as a refugee from Iraq via Jordan in 2003, and grew up in public housing, and now rents in the heart of the city. “This city has been too good to me. I want to give back in the best way I know and that is by serving Wellingtonians on the council. There should be more representation on council for people like myself and I am honoured to be able to put myself forward,” Afnan says.

“Because of my lived experience, I have a unique appreciation for democracy, and I stand for inclusive, community-led change,” says Afnan who also has experience in community organising and NGO governance.

“We need a city built for people, with communities shaping decisions, not just responding to them. I’m committed to creating a city where people can build a future -with good jobs, decent housing, and opportunities to thrive.

“Wellington needs to make serious progress on housing, transport, climate, infrastructure and fixing the pipes. We need to keep community facilities open. We need a city we can afford. These are my priorities. But to achieve all those things we need a refreshed and constructive Council that really listens."

MATTY ANDERSON – NELSON

Matty Anderson is seeking re-election in the Central Ward Nelson. As well as being a first term Nelson City Councillor, he is a Support Worker at a PactGroup home where he is a PSA member. He is also work as a Teachers’ Aide at Nelson College.

“My old man was in the power board and was a hard-core union man. I did twenty years in the Navy as an engineer. Mental health challenges and addiction have been fundamental in who I am, where I have come from and where I am going. Service is a natural fit and part of my wellness plan.

“I have worked as a disability support worker for Nelson Marlborough DHB, four years in casual roster; a year as a peer support worker for Health Action Trust out of Nikau Hauora Hub in Nelson and a year as Kaitiaki for Te Waka Hauora under NMDHB again.

“As a Nelson City Councillor, I have been given roles as Ethnic and Migrant Communities Representative and Pasifika Communities Liaison. Both are communities that most certainly need a voice and fierce advocacy.

“I also deliver Talanoa Ako, digital literacy to Pasifika parents. Recently I have been lucky enough to work as a facilitator working with our RSE community delivering training. A community in dire need of support and advocacy.

“As Pasifika, I believe strongly in servant leadership. I do find council chambers challenging. As a stirrer and activist, I find behaving myself difficult. Participating in and therefore validating a system that is not for me hurts sometimes. I’d like to think I’m infiltrating the infrastructure and remind myself that if you’re not at the table; you’re on the menu. I do feel my lens is welcomed and that I have added value”.

WAIREKA COLLINGS – MASTERTON

In Masterton, public servant Waireka Collings is standing for Mayor and the Council’s Māori ward.

Waireka, a mother of five, says she is an advocate for kaupapa Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity.

“I have been raised in Wairarapa my whole life and our whānau are active contributors in te ao Māori space.

“I am standing to bring greater awareness to the capabilities and contributions that can be made when Māori are at the table. I am also advocating for the retention of the Māori ward. It is important that as a people we are putting our hands up and our names forward to be part of local council.

“I am also the median age of all constituents in Masterton, and we need to lower the age of our Mayor and councillors to be in better alignment with the future that is now.

“As tangata whenua with lived bicultural experience and reo there has never been another candidate like me to stand for the role of Mayor. I believe it is time we changed that. The time for change is now and the people to effect that change are us,” Waireka says.

HIMIONA GRACE – KĀPITI

Himiona Grace (Ngāti Toa, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) is standing for Kāpiti’s Māori ward. Himiona is Te Pāti Māori’s Political Director and has been a PSA member for four years.

“My whakapapa to Kāpiti goes back nine generations, to when Te Rangihiroa arrived from Kāwhia with Ngāti Toa during Te Heke Mai Raro. “I have 10 years’ political experience, advocating for and defending my community.”

Himiona believes the 2025 local government election is the most important of his lifetime.

“It is the first time Kāpiti has ever had a Māori Ward; we need to ensure it will not be the last.

“Māori are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis on the Kāpiti Coast. We are being priced out of our communities through high rates, higher rents, and a lack of job opportunities.

“As mana whenua I will embody the Treaty partnership in local government, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi into all council decisions. I will utilise my experience as a negotiator and advocate to stop housing and road developments on urupā. I will partner with ART Confederation to deliver affordable housing that supports mana whenua to live in our own rohe.”

TOM KAY – WELLINGTON REGION

An environmental scientist, advocate, and science communicator, Tom is standing for a seat on the Wellington Regional Council.

“I'm an organiser and spokesperson for a group called Choose Clean Water, who are advocating for the protection of Aotearoa's rivers, lakes, groundwater, and drinking water sources.

“I grew up in Ahuriri / Napier, in Hawke's Bay, but I've lived in Wellington since2017. I first came here as a student at Victoria University before then, though ultimately did most of my degree, in Environmental Science, at Massey University in Palmerston North. I've spent most of the last eight years working for the conservation charity Forest & Bird, as well as being a PSA delegate, doing a bit more study (a Masters of Science in Ecology), and taking a brief 'break' as a Policy Advisor at a consultancy.

“I'm running for regional council because I care deeply about the future of Wellington's communities and environment. I want all of us to have access to clean rivers and beaches where we can swim and fish without getting sick; be safe from the impacts of climate change and extreme weather; have cheaper, faster buses and trains around the region; and enjoy our incredible regional parks, coastline, and wildlife.

“I think the Wellington region is going to face some incredibly tough challenges in the coming years as the impacts of climate change and other pressures increase, and –based on my experience in environmental management, science, and advocacy; and as a leader amongst my colleagues and communities – I think I can play a helpful role in the face of those challenges.

“I hope to continue my work to improve the way we live with and within the environment, and to ultimately protect and improve the future of our communities.”

SARAH KERBY – NELSON

Sarah Kerby, a long-time Nelson local, community leader, and proud member of both the PSA and E Tū, is a Labour Party Candidate for the Nelson City Council

Before stepping into leadership and organising roles, Sarah worked as a bartender, cleaner, and aged care worker.

“Those jobs taught me first-hand the challenges many workers face: long hours, low pay, insecure conditions, and how vital it is to have strong unions standing with us,” Sarah says.

“I’m standing for Council because I believe working people need a voice at the decision-making table. Local government shapes our daily lives – from housing and transport to libraries, recreation, and community services. These decisions affect workers and families directly, and I want to make sure fairness, equity, and people’s wellbeing are at the heart of them.

“The difference I can make is bringing both lived experience and a proven track record of organising for change. I’ve worked alongside unions and communities to win results, including helping secure law changes for exploited migrant workers so they could rebuild their lives with dignity. I know how to campaign, build coalitions, and get things done.

“If elected, I will be a strong, practical voice for workers in Nelson – advocating for decent jobs, fair pay, affordable living, and quality public services. I will listen, collaborate, and work to ensure Council decisions reflect the needs of working people. Together, we can build a city that works for everyone,” Sarah says.

TOM ROUD – CHRISTCHURCH

In Christchurch, library worker, musician and PSA Delegate Tom Roud is standing to be a city councillor for the Alliance Party.

Tom says he believes Ōtautahi Christchurch should be a city that works for working people.

“My platform is unapologetically in the tradition of the left, in the tradition of the workers' movement, and staunchly in favour of governance that serves ordinary working people and their families. I believe in accountability, transparency, and clear political principles. In my free time I play in a local band, so a thriving local nightlife is also important to me,” Tom says.

Tom is standing for retaining and expanding public assets, pursuing policies that move towards full employment and liveable incomes for all in the city. He also supports public spending that improves the lives of ordinary people, and a vibrant and diverse nightlife with protections for local music venues and the arts.

He supports expanding high quality public housing provided by council, and greater investment in social housing widening of eligibility for both.

Tom also wants to see investment in infrastructure that is fit for purpose, future-proofed and spends less on consultants, bringing more services in-house.

MELE TONGA-GRANT – LOWER HUTT

Mele, who is a council officer, is standing for Hutt City Council.

Mele describes herself a “relentless community advocate, and within the PSA serves as a Vā Moana Delegate and the Female Youth Lead for the Pasefika Network.

“My background includes working alongside Pacific, Māori, youth, and rainbow communities. My journey has always been shaped by the values of service, equity, and collective strength. As a delegate, I know the importance of standing together to protect the dignity of workers and the services our communities rely on.

“I am standing for Hutt City Council because I believe local leadership must be informed by the voices of those who are often left out of decision-making. Council decisions directly impact our daily lives and too often, these choices are made without listening to the people who carry the weight of them.

“I have seen many members lose their jobs in the name of ’cost saving,’ which once again puts the dollar sign ahead of real people’s livelihood. That’s not good enough. “I bring a unique understanding as a current Council officer, union delegate and active participant in my community.”

The headline-grabbing change is people earning over $180,000 won’t be able to raise personal grievances at all. But the Bill’s other changes undermine everyone’s ability to get justice through a personal grievance.

WHAT REMEDIES DO FOR US

A personal grievance is a legal claim you can take against your employer if you believe your employer has fired you unfairly. If you win your personal grievance, the Employment Relations Authority can order “remedies,” like making your employer give you your job back or pay you compensation.

Remedies are an important check on employer power – our employers are less likely to treat us unfairly if they know they could face remedies. The Government’s Bill creates a loophole that even the most heinous employer can squeeze through to avoid remedies entirely.

REMOVING CHECKS ON EMPLOYER POWER

Under the new law, you’re not entitled to get your job back or to compensation if you “contributed to the situation that gave rise to the personal grievance.” What “contributed to” means is concerningly vague – there are very few instances where your employer can’t cast something you’ve done in a negative light.

That’s why we’re calling this the ‘Fire at Will Bill’. Your employer can fire you unjustly, knowing it won’t face any accountability if it can argue you “contributed” to the situation.

This creates a ridiculous double standard: you might be facing the immense pressure of losing your livelihood, but if you’re seen to put a foot wrong you lose any chance of justice. Meanwhile, your employer can treat you as badly as it pleases, completely off the hook for any coercion, oppression, or other unjust tactics we’ve seen used in these situations.

WHO BENEFITS FROM WEAKENED WORKER POWER

This double standard echoes the Government’s changes to pay equity, which made it virtually impossible for workers to make a successful claim, while employers keep benefiting from underpaying people for their labour.

Both law changes highlight the Government’s agenda to give our employers even more power over us. Weaker workers mean it’s easier for employers to extract more profit while paying lower wages. In the case of community and public services, it becomes easier to keep wages down to pay for tax cuts for the rich.

TIME TO TAKE THE POWER BACK

We want to have good relationships with our employers and to settle disputes fairly. But that requires a balance of power between us and our employers. Every erosion of our power is a blow to all of us.

So, when the Government takes away our power in one place, we must build power in another. One of the most effective areas we can do this is in our union.

When we’re alone, we’re vulnerable to the behaviours that this law enables. With the collective strength and support of the union, we have more power to fight back. And the more of us there are, the more power we’ll have.

Persistent. Principled. Positive. These three attributes were highlighted by many of the speakers who gathered to celebrate Kerry Davies’ significant contribution to the PSA and the wider trade union movement over a 41-year career last month in Wellington.

ORGANISING ACROSS THE MOVEMENT

Kerry’s first union role was as a member of the Theatrical Workers Union executive committee while she was an usher at Auckland’s Mercury Theatre in the 1980s. Life as a union organiser soon followed at the Northern Cleaners and Caretakers Union, the National Distribution Union, the Engineers Union and also at the Nurses Organisation, where she worked as a delegate educator. At the turn of the millennium she was based in Kuala Lumpur to deliver a regional project to empower women leaders for our global union federation, Public Services International.

A FIERCE ADVOCATE

It was following her return to Aotearoa that Kerry’s skills as an advocate really came to the fore organising workers impacted by the profoundly important deinstitutionalisation of our mental health system. She ensured they had a genuine voice during the transitioning of these services into the community and that planning for continuing care emphasised safe and good work for our members. Later during the creation of the Auckland supercity Kerry impressed even ACT leader and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide for the constructive process she championed as 8 councils, collectively employing 7,000 workers, came together under an intense Parliamentary spotlight.

MAKING CPS A UNION PRIORITY

Undoubtedly Kerry’s most significant legacy is the creation within the PSA of our Community Public Services sector, who deliver essential government-funded services largely in people’s homes. While these workers were able to, and did, join the PSA, Kerry working with delegates Jenny Goodman and Vince Densie, persuaded the union’s 2010 Congress that they needed their own focus and a different style of organising to successfully challenge persistent low pay and poor working conditions. There have been many wins for these workers over the past 15 years – notably guaranteed hours and in-between travel time costs in 2015, and the landmark initial pay equity settlement in 2017. Maintaining fair pay for these workers remains a key priority for the PSA, especially following the gutting of the pay equity bargaining system overnight by the current government earlier this year. The CPS sector Kerry championed – now 10,000 members strong – has positioned the PSA as a leading industrial and political voice to continue to push until we succeed in achieving good and fairly paid work in this vital sector.

“BOXING AND DANCING”

Never one to push herself forward, Kerry has championed building union organisation and collective action as key foundations on which to make progress. Her style of organising – which she termed ‘boxing and dancing’ – emphasises constructive engagement from a position of membership strength. As we face down a hostile government her example will help us to navigate tough times.

Calculated annually by Living Wage Aotearoa, this figure is enough to cover basic living costs like housing, food, and utilities, with a little left over so that a person can buy their whānau gifts, maintain their health, and put money aside.

However, thousands of New Zealanders currently make life work on less. The current living wage is $5.45 higher than the minimum wage – which if you work full-time, is a difference of $307 in your weekly pay packet.

THE LIVING WAGE HELPS COMMUNITIES THRIVE

Local government – including city and district councils – have been big proponents of the living wage movement. Especially in more rural areas, councils are major employers and can make a big difference to community wellbeing when they pay their people a living wage.

But in the current political environment, where central government is putting more pressure than ever on their local counterparts to save money, the living wage is at risk of being put in the too-hard basket.

WE GET WHAT WE PAY FOR

People, just like pipes, need to be paid a decent wage. And, just like infrastructure, you get what you pay for. Workers who are not stressing about how they’re going to pay for their kid’s shoes or dog-tired from working a second job, are better workers. Better workers make for better services for local communities – whether that be rubbish collection, running the library, or repairing roads.

INVESTMENT, NOT A COST

In the long-term, paying people enough to live properly means less churn for local government. Retaining workers with specialist knowledge of their mahi and the local region is crucial for councils wanting to operate efficiently and effectively.

At the end of the day, the living wage is not a cost, but an investment, and one that will help to keep council budgets down in the long run.

WELLBEING IS NOT OPTIONAL

Local government organisations that have adopted the living wage see it as a commitment to their community’s wellbeing.

The living wage does not, after all, give people enough to live a life of luxury. We’re talking being able to pay for an unexpected bill without stress, not a bach on Waiheke and international holidays every year.

Paying people enough to live a life of dignity is a pretty low bar and one that all employers in New Zealand should look to clear.

Local government staff are also people living in the communities councils serve. More money to go around especially smaller or more rural places means a higher level of wellbeing and a more resilient local economy for small businesses.

AOTEAROA’S FIRST LIVING WAGE CITY, SEVEN YEARS ON

Wellington City Council was the first local government entity to become an accredited Living Wage Employer in 2018.

It was championed by councillors as a way of making the city more inclusive, including the PSA’s National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, who at that time served as a councillor for Wellington’s Paekawakawa/Southern Ward.

Today, Wellington City Council employs just over 200 people on the living wage.

“Wellington City Council recognises the importance of the Living Wage and the impact this can have on the quality of life for our kaimahi,” Chief People and Culture Officer Meredith Blackler says.

“The Council is proud to be a Living Wage accredited employer and continues to be committed to providing the Living Wage as our minimum rate of pay and increasing this rate of pay annually in line with advice from Living Wage Aotearoa.”

VOTE FOR THE LIVING WAGE

As the economy has tightened, the popularity of appearing fiscally conservative has risen. Politicians are trying really hard to look like they can save the country money – at least in the short-term.

The living wage (and workers’ rights in general) could become a political football in this year’s local elections. If you’d like to see the living wage retained as part of your local council’s budget, make sure you vote for candidates who believe in it. If you’re not sure, ask them!

Communities where people can comfortably afford the basics are thriving communities.

This local election year, make sure you vote for a council that has committed to a living wage, and keeps wellbeing and investment in its people at the heart of what it does.

As a young person, having your say about what you want your community to look like is more important than ever.

THE SHIFT TO APPEAL TO YOUNG VOTERS

Youth voting has been a hot topic in the media recently, especially with the announcement that the UK government will be lowering the voting age by their next general election. But, in Aotearoa, the push to get young people to the polls has been a time-honoured issue that has stumped everyone. The reality is that young people have a massive influence on how elections play out – something political parties are just starting to catch on to.

Globally, more campaigns are geared toward younger generations, and it’s working. The use of memes, social media and plain language are all on the rise, as politicians start dabbling into non-traditional forms of campaigning.

THE IMPACT OF THE YOUTH VOTE

The 2017 and 2020 elections saw a massive 117,000 extra young people participate in the general election when compared to elections prior – in part due to being able to see ourselves in the people running for Parliament. For all its flaws, the 6th Labour Government was elected on the backs of young New Zealanders. In return, it introduced landmark policies around university fees, social welfare, and COVID-19.

The 2022 local body elections saw 14.6% of elected councillors being aged under 40 (which is young for local government). In the years since, local authorities around the country declared climate emergencies, increased funding for public transport, and made cities safer and more accessible. These policies don’t just benefit young people – they benefit everyone.

THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING

In many ways, local body elections are more important than the general election. Yes, Parliament is making the big, controversial changes, but local governments are responsible for the day-to-day things we take for granted – waste management, water, roads, public transport, housing. They look after the things we can’t live without. Read up on the people standing in your area, go to their public meetings and ask them questions. Because these are the people who want to manage your ability to live in a safe, healthy and welcoming community.

Young people are a force to be reckoned with, and we’ve already proven that our vote is crucial to any campaign. More candidates are meeting us where we are, and this year is our chance to make sure they are really, truly, listening to what we have to say.

When you go to your local library, you can do more than just borrow books. You can borrow other physical and digital resources, get free access digital and creative services and equipment, find support with literacy, attend cultural events, and find a safe space for the whole community, including some of the most vulnerable in our society. All of this is thanks to library assistants, an occupation that is predominantly female and long acknowledged as undervalued and underpaid. This year’s local elections are an opportunity for them to be recognised for value they provide to our communities.

UNDERVALUATION ESTABLISHED, CLAIM EXTINGUISHED

In 2019, the PSA raised a pay equity claim with six of the largest councils in New Zealand: Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Although this claim was raised before the Equal Pay Act was amended in 2020, it fell under the scope of that legislation.

From 2020 to 2025, the union and employers worked hard to establish the value of the work of library assistants and how that compared with the male roles chosen as comparators. There was no material difference in the scoring between workers across the different councils, including those who provide other council services, such as receiving rates. The PSA believes this means the value of library assistant work across any council is the same or similar.

Ultimately, extensive evidence showed that library assistants are undervalued. However, the parties could not agree on how undervalued they are, and therefore the appropriate salaries required to correct the undervaluation. To try to progress the claim, the PSA filed in the Employment Relations Authority, asking it to determine the correct rate of pay for library assistants. This was the status of the claim in May 2025, when the Government undemocratically extinguished it along with 32 other live claims.

THE FIGHT FOR PAY EQUITY CONTINUES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS

But the fight for pay equity is not over. As well as campaigning to overturn this Government’s changes to pay equity, the PSA is pursuing other ways to lift the pay of undervalued workers.

Councillors oversee staffing budgets, and it is in their control to support pay equity for library assistants, just as some councils and councillors support the living wage. For example, Christchurch City Council, announced a pay increase of 10 to 14% for library workers in June – a step towards pay equity outside of the process under the Equal Pay Act.

SUPPORT THOSE WHO COMMIT TO ACTION ON PAY EQUITY

So, the issue of pay equity for library assistants is political. Before we vote in this year’s local elections, we should be questioning candidates on where they stand on the issue of pay equity, and supporting those who commit to action. The choice for voters is not only about rates and services, but also about valuing the people that work in our communities.

Library assistants are our neighbours who show up to support our communities every day. They teach digital skills, run literacy programmes, support those who are vulnerable to navigate our systems, and hold safe and welcoming spaces. All that, and they can find you a great book to read. They deserve to be recognised and valued for the work they do.

Across Aotearoa, our local governments have essential roles to protect and restore eco-systems, as well as lead efforts to reduce climate-harming pollution and adapt to the effects of climate change that are already happening.

WORKING FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET

As PSA members, we can be proud of the essential environmental mahi our fellow members are doing in local government. We know our local government workers are committed to protecting our eco-systems, our biodiversity, and our communities from harm. Now we have a chance to elect local leaders who share that commitment.

As union members, we understand that environmental protection and social justice are intertwined.

ENSURING A JUST TRANSITION

‍It was union members who started the demand for a Just Transition. That means taking action on climate change and protecting the environment in ways that also create better jobs and equity. We want decent work and a good life for everyone in our communities, so we need to make sure our jobs don’t harm us or the families we are trying to provide for.

At the very least, we have to make sure our industries don’t poison the water we drink and the air we breathe, or harm our climate.

ECO ACTION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Changes need to happen at every level for a Just Transition, including in our cities and in our regions, so we need local government leaders who share our values. There’s a lot our local governments can do that helps people and planet.

Accessible and affordable public transport, with good support for walking and cycling, can reduce transport emissions and give us all better options. Sustainable waste policies can reduce emissions and toxic chemicals leaching from landfills, while creating good jobs that contribute to a circular economy.

Councils can make sure affordable and good quality housing is available close to where people work, with support for insulation and other upgrades that make our homes warm, cosy and energy efficient. Well-resourced local services, alongside marae and other community hubs, can improve our community life and make us more resilient during extreme weather and other challenging times.

KEEPING TE TAIAO IN THE RIGHT HANDS

To achieve all this and more, we need local governments that are well connected to our diverse communities and actively working with mana whenua. That’s why it’s important that all of us who care about social justice and the environment, vote to keep Māori Wards and vote for leaders with a track record of standing up for Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

At a time when some MPs seem determined to fight a war on nature and people, we have a chance to choose a different kind of leadership for our local governments. We need people in local government who will fight for us and defend our common home.

ITUC SAYS POLITICAL INACTION ON PALESTINE “CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT”

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has written an open letter to governments around the world calling for immediate and sustained action to bring peace to Palestine.

Its demands for action are consistent with the PSA and New Zealand Council of Trade Unions policy, and recognises the ongoing “collective punishment” of millions of Palestinians as a “crime of historical scale”.

The ITUC also criticises the world’s inaction on Israel’s actions in Gaza as “criminally negligent”.

No-one can bring back the 60,000 dead, including the more than 15,000 children who have lost their lives, but ITUC says can ensure the Gazans that survive can live dignified, autonomous lives.

The five demands made by the ITUC are: to stop all arms deliveries to all parties, a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian access, a release of all hostages and political prisoners, the formal recognition of Palestine and the ending of trade with illegal settlements, the strengthening of democracy in Palestine, and a call for all trade unions to act.

The NZCTU has distributed a copy of this letter to our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

TRADE UNIONS ‘SHUT DOWN INDIA’ IN MASS MOBILISATION

Hundreds of thousands of workers in India went on strike this July in a historic demonstration of unity and strength.

Bharat Bandh (‘Shut Down India’ in Hindi) was a joint mobilisation of ten Indian trade unions, including central and regional public service workers.

Several other unions also protested in solidarity. Agricultural workers went on strike in rural communities, and blue-collar workers from mining, construction, logistics, and more all joined the protests.

The day of action went ahead in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to privatise state-run agencies and his dismantling of worker rights. Amongst the worker demands were scrapping Modi’s four anti-worker labour codes, introducing a national minimum wage of 26,000 rupees (NZ$500) per month, and reinstating pensions.

However, Bharat Bandh leaders also said that the nationwide strike aimed to restore the Indian constitution’s promise of social and economic freedom for all.

NURSES WIN BETTER PAY AND CONDITIONS IN PARAGUAY

More than 4,000 nurses marched into the capital of Paraguay, Asunción, to demand better pay and working conditions – and won.

For a nation where mass collective action is rare and unions are fragmented, the nurses’ brave action caught the attention of their government.

Organised by the Paraguayan Nursing Association (APE) and the Nursing Unity Front, the march presented a petition to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare rejecting privatisation, denouncing the lack of medicine in the public system, and calling for an urgent reduction of workload for nursing staff.

As a result, the Paraguayan Government committed to a raft of changes for the nursing workforce, including addition budget allocation to lift salaries, a fairer promotion structure, and the establishment of a formal relationship between the unions and the Vice-Ministry of Economy.

1. What was the most-streamed TV show of 2024?
2. What year was the New Zealand five cent coin taken out of circulation? a. 2004, b. 2005, c. 2006, d. 2007.
3. What staple crop is known to sweat, causing heatwaves?
4. Meatballs – balls of whipped mince crumbed and deep-fried – are a delicacy in which New Zealand region?
5. True or false: Birds are dinosaurs.
6. What is the kupu Māori for the colour pink?
7. In 2001, which council introduced the first Māori constituency in local government? a. Wellington City Council, b. Hastings District Council, c. Otago Regional Council, d. Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
8. Which hip-hop group released ‘Fight the Power’ in 1989?
9. How far is the most inland point of New Zealand from the sea? a. 118km, b. 119km, c. 120km, d. 121km.
10. In which region did Māori timber-workers go on New Zealand’s first recorded strike in 1821?
11. Toussaint Louverture led which revolution in the late 1700s?
12. Te Rerenga Wairua / Cape Rēinga sits in which peninsula?
13. The ingoa Māori of which river in Te Waipounamu / the South Island means “place to play”?
14. What causes Swiss cheese to have holes in it?
15. Which New Zealand town has one of two statues of Richard Nixon in the world?
16. Rūaumoko is the Māori god of what?
17. Which 1999 science-fiction film models Plato’s Allegory of the Cave?
18. True or False: Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington is closer to Antarctica than Whakatū / Nelson is.
19. In Norse mythology, what type of creature is Jörmungandr? a. Canine, b. Serpent, c. Rodent, d. Bird.
20. What is the capital of Burkina Faso?
21. Which suburb in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland serves as the setting for many of Maurice Gee’s novels? a. Henderson, b. Botany, c. Mt Eden, d. Papakura.
22. Which iconic New Zealand building has a cameo in A Minecraft Movie?
23. Which elements spell out “Union” with their symbols from the periodic table?
24. Where was the first instant coffee product invented? a. Waihōpai / Invercargill. b. Maruawai / Gore. c. Tāhuna / Queenstown. d. Kawatiri / Westport.
25. What is the standard unit for measuring pressure?

The decision to remove the 5% voter-initiated referendum threshold on Māori wards was not just a policy change – it was a long-overdue correction of a deeply unfair system that discriminated against Māori representation in local government.

REFERENDUM VETO A CLEAR DOUBLE STANDARD

For years, councils and communities wanting to establish Māori wards were forced to confront an additional barrier that no other ward type faced. If just 5% of voters in a district signed a petition, a binding referendum could overturn a council’s decision to create a Māori ward. No such veto applied to general wards. This inequity made Māori representation a matter for public approval, something to be debated and potentially denied, while treating general representation as a given. It was a clear double standard that sent the message that Māori participation in governance was conditional, not constitutional.

DENIED A FAIR SEAT AT THE TABLE

This process had a chilling effect. Between 2002 and 2019, every attempt to introduce Māori wards that was forced into a referendum – nine in total – was overturned. Councils acting in good faith, recognising their Tiriti obligations and the under-representation of Māori in decision-making, were stopped in their tracks by a small portion of voters. Often, this opposition was driven by misunderstanding, fear, or resistance to change, rather than informed debate about equity or partnership. The result was that Māori communities were repeatedly denied a fair seat at the table.

TRUE DEMOCRACY REFLECTS EVERYONE

Among those who stood up against this injustice was Andrew Judd, the former Mayor of New Plymouth, who bravely supported the creation of a Māori ward in his district. For his efforts, he faced abuse, threats, and national backlash, yet he remained convinced in his belief that true democracy must reflect all its people, especially tangata whenua. Judd’s courage sparked a broader national conversation about equity in local government and inspired others to step forward.

That momentum carried through to campaigners like Toni Boynton (now a councillor in Whakatāne), who alongside others advocated tirelessly to remove this discriminatory veto. Their efforts were instrumental in shifting public awareness and pushing for legislative change that would finally treat Māori wards with the same legitimacy as general wards.

MĀORI WARDS ARE PART OF A MODERN DEMOCRACY

I initiated the law change in 2021. Since then, over 30 councils have moved to establish Māori wards, recognising both the opportunity and the responsibility to better reflect their communities. The impact is already being felt, bringing new voices, perspectives, and lived experiences into council chambers across the country.

Removing the referendum threshold was not about giving Māori special treatment. It was about ending a form of structural discrimination that had no place in a modern democracy. I’m proud the change that by introducing Māori wards we are moving towards being inclusive, fair, and guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, not held back by outdated mechanisms and attitudes that silenced Māori voices.

PROTECTING WHĀNAU, WHENUA AND WAI

The impact has been positive and immediate. The inclusion of Māori ward representatives has enhanced council discussions on housing, land use, and environmental management, issues where Iwi/Māori have both expertise and enduring interests. Māori wards have strengthened collaboration between council and hapū on matters such as climate resilience and community development. These are not symbolic changes; they are structural improvements that reflect the richness of partnership. The creation of Māori wards has normalised Māori participation in local governance, with councillors across regions bringing greater accountability and ensuring whānau, whenua, and wai are represented in decision-making – alongside thriving places to work, play and live.

STARTING FROM A FOUNDATION OF FAIRNESS

Removing the referendum veto is about more than just changing a rule; it’s about resetting the relationship between councils and tangata whenua. It acknowledges that democracy must evolve to be inclusive. This is not a courtesy that requires permission but a constitutional commitment under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. When Māori are around the decision-making table, the outcomes are better for everyone, more grounded, more future-focused, and more likely to meet the diverse needs of communities.

There is still work to do to ensure Māori wards are well-supported, effective, and representative. But we must begin from a foundation of fairness. Removing the discriminatory referendum provision was the right thing to do, and it’s already making a meaningful difference to the health of our local democracies.

Support Māori wards by voting in the local body elections – Pooti Mai!

Hon. Nanaia Mahuta (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hine) was the Minister for Local Government from 2007 to 2008, and again from 2017 to 2023.

This is an opinion piece and the views expressed in it do not necessarily reflect the views of the PSA.

‍Te Mahinga Ora is published quarterly.

Views and opinions expressed in Te Mahinga Ora do not necessarily represent PSA policy.

Editor: Maddi Rowe.

Deputy editor: Sam Williams.

Design and layout: Dan Phillips.

Contributors: Madeleine Ashton-Martyn, Nanette Cormack, Annabella Gamboni, Michael Gibbs, Stevie Hallett, John King, Lily Lewis, Nanaia Mahuta, National Iwi Chairs Forum, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, Claire Nickson, Janice Panoho, Marcia Puru, Kurt Sharpe, Te Rūnanga o ngā Kaimahi Māori o Aotearoa, Mike Tana, Kalya Ward, and Sam Williams.

Printing: Webstar, Auckland.

PSA Executive Board: Virgil Iraia (president), Dianna Mancer (vice president), Nanette Cormack, Joanna Houston (Māori vice president), Lee Manaia, Susan Young, Michelle Callinan-Troup, Helen Foley, Amanda Vaotuua, Lily Lewis, Duane Leo and Fleur Fitzsimons.

PSA contact details: PSA, PO Box 3817, Wellington.

Freephone: 0508 FOR PSA (0508 367 772)

Email: enquiries@psa.org.nz

On the cover: Illustration by Stevie Hallett.

‍