Since the National-led Government took office, 48,000 more people are unemployed, and the number unemployed for six months or longer has risen 130 percent. The minimum wage has fallen 4 percent in real terms since 2023. That leaves a full-time minimum-wage worker $2,076 a year worse off than if it had kept pace with inflation. Wages measured by the labour cost index have fallen 1.5 percent after inflation.
Fair Pay Agreements have been cancelled. Pay Equity has been gutted. Health and Safety has been watered down. All during the worst cost-of-living crisis in memory.
Make sure you, your friends and whānau are enrolled to vote.
Latest Election 26 content
- Three years of pain: The state of the labour market, 2023–26
Secure employment and income are fundamental to wellbeing. But many New Zealanders have experienced a collapse in their employment and income security over the past… Read More »Three years of pain: The state of the labour market, 2023–26 - The Cost of Living: What Are We Giving Up?
“People should be able to work hard, pay their bills, and still have enough left to live a decent and stress-free life.” Respondent 223: 45-54… Read More »The Cost of Living: What Are We Giving Up? - “Don’t risk 6 years of Luxon” – NZCTU launches election campaign
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has today launched its “Don’t risk 6 years of Luxon” election campaign. A campaign that… Read More »“Don’t risk 6 years of Luxon” – NZCTU launches election campaign - What have workers lost under a National-led government?
A guide about what this Government has changed and what it means for working people There’s a lot of employment law changes to keep track… Read More »What have workers lost under a National-led government? - Labour backs long-standing union call to hold criminally negligent bosses liable
In a major victory for working people and the Pike River Families who have long campaigned for this, Labour have committed to passing a corporate… Read More »Labour backs long-standing union call to hold criminally negligent bosses liable - $14.37 an hour: ACT’s pay cut for young workers
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is calling on all political parties to reject ACT’s plan to slash pay for workers… Read More »$14.37 an hour: ACT’s pay cut for young workers - Back on track? Not for workers – unions hand next Government a better map
The next Government should restore fair pay agreements and pay equity legislation within its first 100 days, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te… Read More »Back on track? Not for workers – unions hand next Government a better map - Briefing to the Incoming Government 2026Working people are demanding change that will lead to good work and decent lives for all. The next Government should restore fair pay agreements and… Read More »Briefing to the Incoming Government 2026
- ACT’s attack on Te Tiriti must stop
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi condemns ACT’s ongoing attacks on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, following the Party’s latest election announcement to wind up the Waitangi Tribunal.… Read More »ACT’s attack on Te Tiriti must stop - Workers must be at the centre of all AI policy
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes Labour’s AI policy, which will support a future where technology works for people. “Artificial intelligence… Read More »Workers must be at the centre of all AI policy - Talk Pay Equity Vote Pay Equity
This election, we’re asking everyone to be part of the campaign for pay equity. What is pay equity? It’s a way to get people in… Read More »Talk Pay Equity Vote Pay Equity - The fiscal rules of National and Labour
Overview This report analyses the fiscal rules announced by both the National and Labour parties this August. The report is intended to support working people… Read More »The fiscal rules of National and Labour - Graduate nurse job guarantee a useful step on health workforce shortages
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes Labour’s guarantee that every eligible New Zealand-trained graduate nurse will be offered a job… Read More »Graduate nurse job guarantee a useful step on health workforce shortages - NZCTU welcomes the discussion opened up by the release of Te Pāti Māori’s tax plan
“The NZCTU welcomes a discussion on New Zealand’s tax system following the release of Te Pāti Māori’s tax plan, as well as the plan released… Read More »NZCTU welcomes the discussion opened up by the release of Te Pāti Māori’s tax plan - Luxon speech devoid of policy or vision
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi president Sandra Grey is calling out the National Party leader for failing to address the concerns of working people at a… Read More »Luxon speech devoid of policy or vision