Struggling to keep up with the latest news that matters? We’ve got you covered. Our daily news roundup* is your go-to source for updates that impact the progressive movement in Aotearoa New Zealand. Every morning, we bring you the key stories that impact workers, communities, and our shared future. From union victories to employment challenges, political shifts, Māori rights, and economic trends—stay informed and empowered, five days a week.
*based on availability.
March 2025
- Tuesday 25 March
A new employment survey shows that labour market pessimism has deepened as workers worry about holding to their job, the difficulty in finding jobs, and slowing wage growth. Nurses working in primary care… Read More »Tuesday 25 March - Monday 24 March
Bargaining between the PSA and Oranga Tamariki over the collective agreement is intensifying – with more strike action likely, while the Employment Relations Authority has ordered facilitation. More than 850 laboratory staff are… Read More »Monday 24 March - Friday 21 March
The PSA are calling the Prime Minister a hypocrite for committing to increase defence spending while hundreds of more civilian New Zealand Defence Force jobs are set to be cut as part of… Read More »Friday 21 March - Tuesday 18 March
The Labour Inspectorate could soon be knocking on the door of hundreds of businesses nation-wide, as it launches a major crackdown on those not abiding by the law. NorthTec staff are on edge… Read More »Tuesday 18 March - Monday 17 March
Employers, unions and health and safety advocates are calling for engineered stone to be banned, a day before consultation on regulations closes. On Friday the PSA lodged a pay equity claim for library… Read More »Monday 17 March - Friday 14 March
Woolworths has proposed a major restructure of its New Zealand store operating model, leaving workers worried their hours and pay could be cut. Public servants are being asked how productive their office is,… Read More »Friday 14 March - Thursday 13 March
Nicola Willis has proposed new procurement rules that unions say will lead to pay cuts for already low-paid workers in cleaning, catering and security services that are contracted by government. The Crimes (Theft… Read More »Thursday 13 March - Wednesday 12 March
Māori workers now hold more high-skilled jobs than low-skilled jobs with 46 percent in high-skilled jobs, 14 percent in skilled jobs, and 40 percent in low-skilled jobs. Resource teachers of literacy and Te… Read More »Wednesday 12 March - Tuesday 11 March
The CTU is calling for an apology from Nicola Willis after her office made a false characterisation of CTU statements, which ultimately saw him blocked from future Treasury briefings. New data shows that… Read More »Tuesday 11 March - Friday 7 March
E tū, representing many of NZME’s journalists, says it is “deeply worried” by a billionaire’s plans to take over its board. They are also concerned that NZ Post call centre jobs are gradually… Read More »Friday 7 March - Thursday 6 March
Port workers in Lyttleton are warning that a proposal to cut jobs at the port will lead to more workplace deaths. The Government is doubling the number of nurse practitioners able to train… Read More »Thursday 6 March - Tuesday 4 March
The Commerce Commission is investigating Wellington Water after damning reports into its procurement processes. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says parents who are dissatisfied with the new school lunch programme should “make a marmite… Read More »Tuesday 4 March - Monday 3 March
A new survey of health staff released by the PSA outlines the “immeasurable pain” of restructuring and cost cutting at Health New Zealand, including cancelled surgeries, exploding wait lists and psychologists working reception. Treasury… Read More »Monday 3 March
February 2025
- Friday 28 February
The Government is set to announce a levy system and new rules around housing infrastructure aimed at making housing developments and transport corridors more financially attractive to councils. The job market is potentially… Read More »Friday 28 February - Thursday 27 February
Fleur Fitzsimons has been appointed as the new National Secretary of the PSA. The Government has confirmed it will amend the Crimes Act to give all citizens greater ability to arrest or detain… Read More »Thursday 27 February - Tuesday 18 February
The Prime Minister says the Government would be open to sending peacekeepers to Ukraine if a ceasefire was reached. The government has announced a $30 million spend on tourism infrastructure and biodiversity projects,… Read More »Tuesday 18 February - Monday 17 February
New reporting highlights how Brooke van Velden refuses to meet with the CTU but is happy to meet with fringe Australian-based unions. Van Velden is pursuing reckless changes to undermine the personal grievance… Read More »Monday 17 February - Wednesday 12 February
Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 report highlights falling living standards, the highest unemployment rates since the 1990s and half of all Pacific children going without food. There are reports of hundreds… Read More »Wednesday 12 February - Tuesday 11 February
A Tai Rāwhiti mill that ran for 30 years before it was shut down in late 2023 is set to re-open in the coming months, which will eventually see nearly 300 new jobs… Read More »Tuesday 11 February - Monday 10 February
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the… Read More »Monday 10 February - Monday 3 February
The PSA have released a survey of 4000 public service workers showing that budget cuts are taking a toll on the wellbeing of public servants and risking the delivery of essential services to… Read More »Monday 3 February
January 2025
- Wednesday 29 January
The results of the 2025 Mood of the Workforce survey have been released, with working people revealing deep concerns regarding their work lives, housing, health care, and perceptions of the coalition government in… Read More »Wednesday 29 January - Thursday 23 January
The Tertiary Education Union is predicting a “brutal year” for the tertiary sector as 240,000 students and teachers at Te Pūkenga face another year of uncertainty. The Labour Party are holding their caucus… Read More »Thursday 23 January - Wednesday 22 January
NZME plans to cut 38 jobs as it reorganises its news operations, including the NZ Herald, BusinessDesk, and Newstalk ZB. It said it planned to publish and produce fewer stories, to focus on… Read More »Wednesday 22 January
December 2024
- Wednesday 18 December
The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut.… Read More »Wednesday 18 December - Friday 13 December
More public service job cuts are on the way, with hundreds more jobs set to be axed at Health NZ, and close to 50 jobs at Te Arawhiti. Winston Peters is saying Nicola… Read More »Friday 13 December - Thursday 12 December
There has been widespread condemnation of the Government’s mishandling of the Cook Strait ferry replacements, including from unions, industry, and political parties. It has also led to public division among the coalition, with… Read More »Thursday 12 December - Wednesday 11 December
The Government has kicked the can down the road on the replacement Interislander ferries, by setting up a company to begin a procurement process, rather than making a decision. But they have made… Read More »Wednesday 11 December - Tuesday 10 December
Government has introduced legislation under urgency to allow employers to deduct workers pay for engaging in partial strikes, which will give further power to bosses to intimidate workers and will lead to the… Read More »Tuesday 10 December - Monday 9 December
The families of two workers killed in the forestry industry are pushing for a boss connected to both deaths to be pushed out of the industry, highlighting the need for corporate manslaughter legislation.… Read More »Monday 9 December - Friday 6 December
In another blow to the media landscape, Māori TV’s daily news service is set to end after 20 years, following the announcement that they have cut 27 jobs. PSA members at MBIE have… Read More »Friday 6 December - Thursday 5 December
The Government has announced further changes to the personal grievance regime that will make it even tougher for workers, and changes to the Marsden Fund investment plan to stop funding for humanities and… Read More »Thursday 5 December - Tuesday 3 December 2024
Today NZNO healthcare workers are striking for safe staffing and fair pay. More job losses are on the line at NZDF due to budget deficits. In political news, Chris Hipkins is trying to… Read More »Tuesday 3 December 2024
November 2024
- Wednesday 27 November 2024
The Reserve Bank will be announcing a change to the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, with most economists expecting a cut of around 50 basis points. The Government is reallocating $30,000 towards more… Read More »Wednesday 27 November 2024 - Monday 25 November 2024
Maritime workers are joining opposition to the government’s plans for resuming live animal exports on the basis that the country “would benefit from being seen as a kind of modern and progressive exporter”.… Read More »Monday 25 November 2024 - Thursday 21 November 2024
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived at Parliament on Tuesday – the size is being debated but estimates range from 42,000 to 100,000. The Prime Minister is defending not attending due to some… Read More »Thursday 21 November 2024 - Monday 18 November 2024
The NZNO have announced a nationwide strike for December over its pay dispute with Health NZ, who have put a 1 per cent cap on pay rises. The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti and… Read More »Monday 18 November 2024 - Friday 15 November 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill continues to dominate political news, with it passing its first reading in the House. Parliament was briefly suspended and Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke suspended for 24 hours… Read More »Friday 15 November 2024 - Thursday 14 November 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill is set to have its First Reading in the House today, as the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti continues. More than 40 KCs have written to the Prime Minister and… Read More »Thursday 14 November 2024 - Tuesday 12 November 2024
Today Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will formally apologise to those who experienced abuse in state and faith-based care at Parliament. The apology is long overdue, and many are saying it’s not enough and… Read More »Tuesday 12 November 2024 - Monday 11 November 2024
Today the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti set off from Te Rerenga Wairua and is making its way through the North, stopping in Whangārei for the night. In union news, it has been announced… Read More »Monday 11 November 2024 - Friday 8 November 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill has been introduced to Parliament, with its First Reading set down for next week. A large hīkoi is set to depart from Te Rerenga Wairua on Monday, with events… Read More »Friday 8 November 2024 - Tuesday 5 November 2024
NZCTU, NZEI and PPTA have filed a formal complaint to the International Labour Organization alleging the Government’s new charter schools law breaches obligations to protect collective bargaining. The Postal Workers Union says a… Read More »Tuesday 5 November 2024
October 2024
- Thursday 31 October 2024
Health and safety campaigner Sonya Rockhouse has come out in support of the joint open letter from the NZCTU, Business NZ and others. A new Xero Small Business Insights report… Read More »Thursday 31 October 2024 - Wednesday 30 October 2024
The NZCTU has joined with Business NZ and health and safety groups to call on the Government to drop its plans to reform health and safety law. The Postal Workers… Read More »Wednesday 30 October 2024 - Thursday 24 October 2024
The CTU’s Fight Back Together hui received widespread coverage across national and local media, with consistent framing about the Government’s attacks on workers’ rights. In other union news, St John… Read More »Thursday 24 October 2024 - Monday 21 October 2024
In union news, the Postal Workers Union is worried a scam that has conned New Zealanders out of millions of dollars is circulating for a fourth time, while FIRST are… Read More »Monday 21 October 2024 - Thursday 17 October 2024
Inflation has fallen to its lowest point in the last 3.5 years, but many costs remain high, and unemployment is expected to get worse. An OIA response received by the… Read More »Thursday 17 October 2024 - Wednesday 16 October
E tū are raising concerns with proposals to privatise airport security, saying that staff are “extremely concerned” about risks to safety for those who use airports. 1News has published an… Read More »Wednesday 16 October - Tuesday 15 October 2024
A new poll shows there is strong public support for rail-enabled ferries, which MUNZ have said shows New Zealanders know what a huge mistake it was to cancel the order… Read More »Tuesday 15 October 2024 - Monday 14 October 2024
The closure of Karioi Pulp Mill ends generations of family employment, and Health NZ mandates staff to take three weeks’ leave over Christmas. In politics, the government plans to reform… Read More »Monday 14 October 2024 - Friday 11 October 2024
Government budget problems and public service cuts are putting pressure on communities, with frontline services and media integrity at risk. E tū is sounding the alarm over TVNZ’s cost-cutting; MUNZ… Read More »Friday 11 October 2024 - Thursday 10 October 2024
The Reserve Bank announced yesterday a 0.5% cut to the OCR, which the CTU has called “a recognition of weakness” in a floundering economy. Joint health unions have released a… Read More »Thursday 10 October 2024 - Friday 4 October 2024
A State of Emergency has been declared in Dunedin after Otago was lashed by heavy rain yesterday. Houses have been flooded in low-lying parts of South Dunedin and residents are… Read More »Friday 4 October 2024 - Thursday 3 October 2024
The PPTA has changed its constitution to allow teachers at charter schools to join their union, which David Seymour is claiming as a victory for charter schools. The union has… Read More »Thursday 3 October 2024 - Wednesday 2 October 2024
The Pacific Media Network have covered the CTU’s analysis of the gender pay gap, with Rachel Mackintosh being interviewed on the impacts for Pasifika women. The NZPFU are calling for… Read More »Wednesday 2 October 2024 - Tuesday 1 October 2024
The Commerce Commission has announced they are blocking Foodstuff’s North and South Island merger, on the basis that it would substantially lessen competition and make it harder for other retailers… Read More »Tuesday 1 October 2024
September 2024
- Monday 30 September 2024
35,000 people march against the Government’s “downgrades” to Dunedin Hospital. NZEI and PPTA are continuing their campaign against charter schools, after the legislation passed its final reading in Parliament last… Read More »Monday 30 September 2024 - Thursday 26 September 2024
Public Service Minister Nicola Willis met with PSA members, with job cuts in the public service and attacks on working from home arrangements sitting high on the speaking agenda. NZNO… Read More »Thursday 26 September 2024 - Wednesday 25 September 2024
Although Health and Safety Minister, Brooke van Velden, claims to consult with a wide range of people, unions have been shut out from the Health and Safety reform discussion. Nicola… Read More »Wednesday 25 September 2024 - Wednesday 18 September 2024
E tū has revealed that the pulp and paper mill at Penrose, Auckland is set to close following the announced closure of two mills in the Ruapehu district. This will… Read More »Wednesday 18 September 2024 - Tuesday 17 September 2024
RNZ is reporting on claims from frontline workers that nursing roles at Te Whatu Ora are not being replaced, and on a story that TEU are supporting its members at… Read More »Tuesday 17 September 2024 - Monday 16 September 2024
The Government has announced their proposed changes to contractor law, following the Uber judgment in the Court of Appeal. This has been covered across most media platforms with responses from… Read More »Monday 16 September 2024 - Thursday 12 September 2024
The CTU has revealed an estimated cost of the Treaty Principles Bill, while Ministry of Justice officials advise against redefining the principles. MUNZ have been blocked from boarding the Manahau… Read More »Thursday 12 September 2024 - Wednesday 11 September 2024
The closure of Winstone Pulp mills in the Ruapehu district is the top news story, with various outlets running reactions from unions, workers, local MPs, and industry. There is widespread… Read More »Wednesday 11 September 2024 - Tuesday 10 September 2024
FIRST Union members at Woolworths worksites around the country are taking strike action today, in a fight for better pay and conditions. Mill workers at Winstone Pulp are awaiting a… Read More »Tuesday 10 September 2024 - Monday 9 September 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill is top of the agenda, with the Bill being considered by cabinet today. This comes after 440 Christian leaders signed an open letter opposing the Bill.… Read More »Monday 9 September 2024 - Friday 6 September 2024
The funeral of Kingi Tūheitia and ascension of his successor, Nga Wai Hono i te Po, leads political and Māori news headlines. The momentous occasion is seen as a significant… Read More »Friday 6 September 2024 - Monday 2 September 2024
The tangihanga of Kīngi Tūheitia remains front of mind for Te Ao Māori and many across Aotearoa, with thousands of people continuing to descend on Tūrangawaewae Marae to pay him… Read More »Monday 2 September 2024
August 2024
- Friday 30 August 2024
Junior doctors warn that voluntary redundancies will harm patient care, while Northland nurses call out substandard conditions. Political and economic challenges loom large, from DOC budget… Read More »Friday 30 August 2024 - Thursday 29 August 2024
Struggles facing health workers amid pay delays and job cuts, alongside political tensions over fast-track laws, Māori sovereignty, and infrastructure plans. Economic challenges and growing discontent… Read More »Thursday 29 August 2024 - Wednesday 28 August 2024
Concerns over the closure of pulp and paper mills and the impact on the local community, Uber drivers celebrate a landmark ruling, posties clash with NZ… Read More »Wednesday 28 August 2024 - Tuesday 27 August, 2024
Today’s headlines cover the fight for workers’ rights, including a landmark ruling for Uber drivers, posties standing up against divisive messages, and concerns for doctors’ well-being.… Read More »Tuesday 27 August, 2024 - Monday 26 August 2024
The fight for fairness, transparency, and respect: ambulance workers demanding better, efforts to protect Māori rights, and the need for integrity in government actions. Union coverage… Read More »Monday 26 August 2024 - Friday 23 August 2024
Critical battles for fair pay, local industries, and healthcare, while Māori and Pasifika leaders voice concerns over damaging political rhetoric. Economic shifts and calls for greater… Read More »Friday 23 August 2024 - Thursday 22 August 2024
We are facing critical struggles and challenges: ambulance workers are facing labour cuts, political clashes over Māori rights (again), and the economic strain on families. While… Read More »Thursday 22 August 2024 - Wednesday 21 August 2024
Staggering payrates for new Ministry of Regulation amid public service cuts, ambulance officers striking for better funding, teachers addressing Pacific student challenges, and concerns over rising… Read More »Wednesday 21 August 2024