The NZCTU actively works with its affiliates to build a high-wage, high-skill, low-carbon economy in which good work is available to all.
For decades, Aotearoa New Zealand has underinvested in our people and infrastructure, and workers have been denied their fair share of economic growth.
The NZCTU’s policy work focuses on how Aotearoa New Zealand can address its major economic challenges of low wages, climate change, and infrastructure, and how we can build a productive economy in which all workers thrive.
Latest Economy News
- Submission on the Local Government (Port Companies Accountability) Bill
The NZCTU supports this Bill which seeks to bring port companies into the same operating environment as other council-controlled organisations. This change would help ensure that ports, as critical national… Read More »Submission on the Local Government (Port Companies Accountability) Bill - GDP growth anaemic and masks economy still in “huge trouble”, says NZCTU
GDP data released by StatsNZ today showed that the economy grew at an annual rate of 0.8 percent. New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi President Sandra Grey… Read More »GDP growth anaemic and masks economy still in “huge trouble”, says NZCTU - Workers’ analysis of Budget 2026
Security for all? The government has framed Budget 26 as one that will “secure New Zealand’s future”. The key argument that Minister Willis and Prime Minister Luxon want to make… Read More »Workers’ analysis of Budget 2026 - International treaty examination of the NZ – India Free Trade Agreement
This submission outlines the NZCTU’s main areas of concern regarding the New Zealand – India Free Trade Agreement and its negotiation. These are: The NZCTU cannot support this agreement due… Read More »International treaty examination of the NZ – India Free Trade Agreement - Submission on the 2026 RSE Policy Review
The NZCTU welcomes the opportunity to comment on the 2026 RSE Policy Review. We hope the review leads to positive outcomes for RSE workers, New Zealanders, and the industries and… Read More »Submission on the 2026 RSE Policy Review - Submission on the Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill
The census is the highest-quality source of population and dwelling data in New Zealand. It allows us to understand population and dwelling distribution and change over time and how people… Read More »Submission on the Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill
Economic Bulletin
The Economic Bulletin provides a worker’s perspective on the New Zealand economy. In each issue, we analyse the latest economic data, examine trends in the New Zealand economy, and discuss policies that will improve outcomes for working people.
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Previous Issues
- Economic Bulletin May/June 2026
The feature article examines the upcoming changes to Jobseeker Support for young people. The Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Bill introduces a “parental assistance test” for applicants aged… Read More »Economic Bulletin May/June 2026 - Economic Bulletin March/April 2026
In this month’s feature, Craig discusses the upcoming Budget. On its own terms, the government’s economic plan isn’t working – economic growth is stalled, the cost of living has not… Read More »Economic Bulletin March/April 2026 - Economic Bulletin January/February 2026
In this month’s feature we take stock of where the labour market is at. Although the headline unemployment rate has not risen as far or fast as during previous major… Read More »Economic Bulletin January/February 2026 - Economic Bulletin December 2025
Early next year, the government plans to pass the Employment Relations Amendment Bill (ERAB). This Bill makes it easier for employers to misclassify workers as contractors (thus denying them the… Read More »Economic Bulletin December 2025 - Economic Bulletin October/November 2025
In this month’s feature we discuss the class character of New Zealand’s inflation policy. Under our current settings, higher unemployment is the price paid for lower inflation. This means that… Read More »Economic Bulletin October/November 2025 - Economic Bulletin September 2025
With local elections underway across the country, rates are a particularly hot topic. Minister Watts (Local Government) claims that councils have “lacked fiscal discipline”, and this has contributed to the… Read More »Economic Bulletin September 2025
Policy Topics
