In Aotearoa New Zealand, pay equity isn’t just an ideal.
Pay equity is a right hard-won by generations of women, union members, and community advocates. But in 2025, that right is under threat. The current government has pushed through changes that wind back progress, weaken workers’ voices, and make it harder for women – especially Māori, Pacific, and low-paid workers – to get a fair deal. 33 pay equity claims have been pushed back; the threshold for lodging pay equity claims has been raised; and we have had enough.
This page brings together the facts, stories, and actions you need to stay informed and fight back.
Pay Equity Stories
Have you been part of the fight for pay equity? Whether you were on the front lines of a claim, supported your colleagues, or lived through the impact of a settlement? We want to hear from you.
We’re gathering stories to honour the history, understand the real impact, and lift up the voices of those who’ve helped push for fairness. Your kōrero helps show why pay equity matters, and why we must protect it.
Pay Equity Explainers
It took less than two days for the Government to announce their changes to the Equal Pay Act, and then make those changes. Because things happened this fast, a huge amount of information about pay equity has sprung up in a really short time-frame—which can be pretty confusing for anyone new to the issue! To help you out, we’ve compiled some information on the pay equity process and the changes that were made to it. What’s the difference between equal pay and pay equity? What does a comparator do? How long has this been going on? Find all the answers here.
Latest Pay Equity info
- Pay Equity Explainers
It took less than two days for the Government to announce their changes to the Equal Pay Act, and then make those changes. Because things happened this fast, a huge amount… Read More »Pay Equity Explainers - Pay Equity Events
The Government using Pay Equity settlements as a way to fund their Budget is a new low. Join in rallies across the motu to speak truth to power. Below is a… Read More »Pay Equity Events - Unions launch petition to protect pay equity
Major Aotearoa unions have launched a new petition calling on the Government to reverse their proposed amendments to the Equal Pay Act and restore existing pay equity claims. Unions behind the… Read More »Unions launch petition to protect pay equity - It’s time for Beehive women to get real on pay equity
NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges is issuing a challenge to women in government to stand with working women on International Women’s Day by pushing policies to reduce the gender pay gap. “We… Read More »It’s time for Beehive women to get real on pay equity - Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill
The NZCTU strongly supports the Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill. This Bill represents a positive step towards addressing serious issues around unlawful disparities in pay by protecting workers’ rights… Read More »Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill - Equal Pay, Equal Rights: Fighting for Pay Equity in Aotearoa
Next month will mark 52 years since the Equal Pay Act was passed in Aotearoa New Zealand. For over a hundred years, unions have continued to work tirelessly in the pay… Read More »Equal Pay, Equal Rights: Fighting for Pay Equity in Aotearoa - Gender Pay Gap Not Closing
Evidence released by the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi today shows that the gender pay gap is not closing quickly enough. “Calculations of official data show that women are paid 8.9% less… Read More »Gender Pay Gap Not Closing - Axing of Pay Equity Taskforce will entrench inequities for working women
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is deeply disappointed by confirmation of the Public Service Commission that the Pay Equity Taskforce will be disestablished. “The disestablishment of the Pay Equity Taskforce will… Read More »Axing of Pay Equity Taskforce will entrench inequities for working women - NZCTU calls on Govt to reverse disestablishment of Pay Equity Taskforce
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges is calling on the Government to reverse their decision to disestablish the Pay Equity Taskforce team, as it will result in gender and ethnic… Read More »NZCTU calls on Govt to reverse disestablishment of Pay Equity Taskforce - Women in New Zealand effectively working for free for the rest of the year
Council of Trade Unions Vice President Rachel Mackintosh says New Zealand’s gender pay imbalance can and must be fixed. “Employers discriminate against women from the first day of work to the… Read More »Women in New Zealand effectively working for free for the rest of the year