Māori nurses earn 25% less. And this government won’t even talk about it

There’s a big pay disparity between nurses working for Māori health providers and nurses working at DHBs. And Māori voters aren’t going to ignore signs of indifference, writes Morgan Godfery.  At the last election I was a know-nothing 25-year-old who truly, genuinely, thought a Labour-led government would catch up on nine lost years under National. … Read more

Why didn’t we strike under National?

For a long time, it seemed that strikes were a thing of the past – and then, under an ostensibly more worker-friendly government, they came roaring back. So why now? Trade unionist Alastair Reith provides a view from the left. This year has seen the welcome, long overdue return of strike action to New Zealand. … Read more

Women are sick of being fobbed off. Pay us what we deserve.

I love my job, writes midwife Lucy Kelly. But love can’t make up for a wage I can barely survive on. On Wednesday the 19th of September we celebrated 125 years of women’s suffrage in Aotearoa. I found it hard to celebrate. It feels like we’re riding on the wake of a landmark success of … Read more

The Bulletin: Winston swings away on the radio

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Winston Peters goes at it on the radio, nurses go back to the bargaining table, and Trump and Putin agree that the FBI is wrong.  Acting PM Winston Peters went on Newstalk ZB for a long form interview with Leighton Smith yesterday, and there was no … Read more

Nurses’ strike begins: all you need to know

A 24-hour strike is under way after last-ditch talks failed yesterday. What it’s all about and what does it mean for patients? Via RNZ Who’s on strike? Up to 29,500 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants working for district health boards have begun a 24-hour strike after the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) rejected the latest … Read more

The Bulletin: Battle lines drawn in renters’ rights war

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Lobby group wants to fundamentally reshape tenancy laws, nurses go on strike, and business leaders pledge action on climate change. Tenant rights group Renters United have put out a 36 point plan that they say will dramatically improve the lot of renters in New Zealand, reports Newshub. They … Read more

The Bulletin: Can tomorrow’s nurses strike be averted?

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Nurses strike set to take place tomorrow, China responds to Defence paper that names their country, and Auckland Council is being taken to court over two extremist speakers. In what is arguably the most important story of the year so far, the nurses strike is back … Read more

The Bulletin: Workers gear up for strike season

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Workers prepare to walk off the job, Nicky Hager gives his account of police harassment, and a march in Tauranga against the proposed begging ban. A wave of strikes are set to hit the public sector, while private sector workers are also taking action. The latest on … Read more

The Bulletin: Major changes proposed for high school assessment

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Major changes recommended to NCEA system, new poll has bad news for almost everyone, and two significant announcements will be made today. Huge changes have been recommended to the NCEA system by a review, reports Stuff. In particular, the changes would significantly lower the burden on students … Read more

Workers are missing out on their share of growth, and they’re mad as hell

New Zealand’s workers are underpaid and, increasingly, they aren’t willing to put up with it. Alex Braae looks at the recent surge in industrial disputes and strikes in New Zealand. Nurses. Train and bus drivers. Port workers. Silver Fern Farms workers. Supermarket distribution workers. Fast food workers. Disability support workers. Fletcher Building workers. In the … Read more

What nurses are fighting for

Having voted down a 2% pay offer from district health boards, nurses will soon decide whether to instigate a strike. In a post first published on Facebook that has since gone viral, nurse Elizabeth Alice explains why they’re not backing down. Update, July 12: Following the breakdown of talks with the DHBs, nurses are on … Read more

The Bulletin: Blockade starts at oil industry conference

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin, in today’s edition: Activists are blockading an oil industry conference today, nurses are set to strike, and 20,000 cows are getting culled. Environmental activists are blockading the New Zealand Petroleum Conference in Wellington today. Spokesperson for Oil Free Wellington James Barber told the NZ Herald his expectation was that the protest at … Read more

The Bulletin: PM walks fine line on oil

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: PM Jacinda Ardern walks a fine line on oil exploration, nurses are set to strike, and a senior judge speaks out on youth crime. Greenpeace have delivered a petition to Parliament, calling for a ban on oil exploration, reports Stuff. It was received by PM Jacinda Ardern, … Read more