Category: employment_and_labor
-
TENDERS & AWARDS #23 | 15 October 2026 | NZ Public-Sector Procurement Intelligence
Earth Sciences NZ opens HRIS procurement as Health NZ seeks ED diversion tech; Watercare awards pump contract to Xylem
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyFederal GovernmentEconomyComputers and InternetEmployment and LaborLegalEducation NZ public-sector procurementGETS tendersEarth Sciences NZ HRISHealth NZ diversion managementWatercare Xylem pump contractMinistry of Education guard servicesWaikato District Council Lake Rotokauri walkwayACC needs assessment RFIParliamentary Service meeting-room modernisationNZ Police remotely piloted aircraftTranspower web-application firewallcontract awardstendersTENDERS & AWARDS
-
Labour Accuses National of Cutting Nurse Training Amid Health Crisis
Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty says National hired just 54 nurses in two years and now wants nursing schools to train fewer, leaving graduates without jobs.
Politics and GovernmentHealthElectionEmployment and LaborEducation New Zealand Labour PartyKieran McAnultyNational Partynurseshealth workforcenurse trainingNew Zealand health system
-
New Zealand Annual Net Migration Rises to 20,500
Stats NZ provisional estimates show migrant arrivals up 6 percent to 134,600 and departures down 3 percent to 114,100 in the August 2026 year, lifting annual net migration to a gain of 20,500.
Social IssuesEconomyEmployment and LaborAsia International migrationStats NZnet migrationmigrant arrivalsmigrant departuresAugust 2026 yearStatistics New Zealand
-
Seymour Accuses Greens of Hypocrisy Over 284,000-Job Economic Plan
ACT leader says the Greens celebrate job creators leaving New Zealand, while the Greens say their plan would create 284,000 jobs over four years.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessElectionEconomyOther PartiesEmployment and LaborGeneral PoliticsScience & Technology David SeymourACT New ZealandGreen PartyMarama DavidsonKiwisavertax policyChlöe SwarbrickNew Zealand economyjob creationresearch and developmentInvestment Boost
-
National Pledges Five Commitments in First 100 Days to Bring Young Kiwis Home
A re-elected National Government would legislate five commitments in its first 100 days, including lower student loan repayments, wider first home buyer access and extended paid parental leave.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsEconomyEmployment and LaborReal EstateEducation Nicola WillisNew Zealand National Partystudent loan repaymentfirst home buyerspaid parental leaveKiwiSaverNew Zealand electionNZ National Party
-
Labour: Nearly One in Three NZ Households Still Struggle to Afford Food
Labour's Willow-Jean Prime says the 2026 Hunger Monitor shows almost a third of households can't afford food, blaming National's three years in government.
Politics and GovernmentEconomySocial IssuesElectionEmployment and Labor New Zealand Labour PartyWillow-Jean Prime2026 Hunger Monitorfood insecuritycost of livingChristopher LuxonNew Zealand election
-
Tech New Zealand Unveils October and November Event Line-Up Across Its Communities
Tech New Zealand is running events across agritech, AI, blockchain, edtech and fintech in October and November, and is hiring a Community Engagement Lead for its Member Hub.
Science & TechnologyBusinessArtificial IntelligenceComputers and InternetEmployment and LaborEducationEconomy Tech New ZealandAgritech New ZealandAI Forum New ZealandBlockchain New ZealandEdTech New ZealandAuckland Startup WeekGraeme MullerTechnology
-
Greens Pledge to Regulate AI for the Public Good
Green Party announces AI regulation plan to protect New Zealanders' creativity, data and jobs, ensuring benefits are shared rather than captured by big tech companies.
Politics and GovernmentScience & TechnologyOther PartiesArtificial IntelligenceEmployment and LaborSocial Issues Green PartyChlöe SwarbrickAI regulationdata sovereigntytechnology companiesElection
-
New Zealand First Pledges to Scrap Accredited Employer Work Visa
New Zealand First says it will end the Accredited Employer Work Visa and replace it with a shortage-led Skilled Work Visa tied to named occupations, regions and proven need.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesEmployment and LaborEconomySocial Issues New Zealand FirstAccredited Employer Work VisaSkilled Work Visaimmigration policymigrant workersskills shortageNew Zealand unemploymentNZ FirstElection
-
NZ First Pledges Annual Minimum Wage Rises and $120 Weekly Working for Families Boost
New Zealand First says it will lift the minimum wage every year for three years and make the $50 in-work tax credit permanent, adding $70 a week for a total of $120.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesEconomyEmployment and LaborElection New Zealand Firstminimum wageWorking for Familiesin-work tax creditcost of livingeconomic recoveryNZ First
-
Labour Accuses National of Hiding Public Service Job Cuts Until After Election
Labour's Camilla Belich says staff at the Ministry for Cities, Environment and Transport face restructuring, but the Government won't reveal how many jobs or services are at risk.
Politics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborElectionEconomyState Governments New Zealand Labour PartyCamilla BelichChristopher LuxonNational Partypublic service job cutsMinistry for Cities, Environment and TransportNicola Willis
-
Rural Mobile Coverage Going Backwards Since 3G Shutdown, Farmers Say
Federated Farmers survey of nearly 650 farmers finds half of farms have mobile coverage on less than half their property, with many unable to reliably reach 111.
BusinessScience & TechnologyAgricultureComputers and InternetSocial IssuesEmployment and Labor Federated FarmersMark Hooper3G shutdownrural mobile coverageRural Connectivity Surveyemergency servicesfarmingelection
-
Opportunity Party Pledges Disability System Overhaul Putting Disabled People First
The Opportunity Party's disability policy promises a Citizens' Income, fair pay for care workers, accessible New Zealand and partnership with tāngata whaikaha Māori, based on dignity, choice and control.
Politics and GovernmentHealthSocial IssuesEmployment and LaborLegalEducationGeneral Politics The Opportunity PartyDisability SupportEqual Pay Amendment Act 2025Citizens' IncomeTāngata Whaikaha MāoriTe Tiriti o WaitangiOpportunity PartyElection
-
Labour and Greens Attack ACT's Fiscal Plan as Seymour Denies Disability Cuts
ACT says its plan cuts debt by $12.4 billion with no new taxes, while Labour's Barbara Edmonds warns of $9.5 billion in cuts and 48,000 more people out of work.
Politics and GovernmentEconomyEmployment and LaborElectionGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesSocial IssuesEnergyBusinessFinancial Markets New Zealand Labour PartyBarbara EdmondsNational PartyACT Partyspending cutssuperannuationdisability supportDavid SeymourACT New ZealandFiscal PlanJobseeker SupportCarbon Tax RefundQiulae WongGreen PartyChlöe SwarbrickKiwiSaverdisabled peopleChristopher Luxonpublic service cutsNew Zealand electiongovernment debttax cuts
-
Labour Pushes Cost of Living Plan as National and ACT Accuse It of Rewriting History
Labour says a typical Auckland family with two children pays $6,302 more a year under National, while National says Labour's $18 billion of unfunded promises would cost households $2,263 a year in extra tax.
Politics and GovernmentEconomyOther PartiesLabour PartyElectionGeneral PoliticsFinancial MarketsSocial IssuesTransportationEmployment and LaborEnergyEducationAgricultureHealth David SeymourACT New Zealandcost of livinginflationReserve BankKiwiSaverSimeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyNew Zealand Labour PartyOfficial Cash RateFamilyBoostNZ National PartyKieran McAnultyChristopher LuxonNational Partyelection campaignAucklandprescription chargesChris HipkinsWinston Peterspublic transport faresCost of Living Action PlanMedicardfuel taxschool lunchesFederated Farmersrural school busesGreg Andersonfarmingfuel tax freeze
-
Greens Pledge Jobs Guarantee for Young New Zealanders
Green Party announces a jobs guarantee giving every 16- to 24-year-old out of work for six months a pathway into community work, citing youth unemployment three times the national rate.
Politics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborEconomyOther PartiesSocial Issues Green PartyMarama DavidsonChlöe Swarbrickjobs guaranteeyouth unemploymentJobs for Young PeopleElection
-
National Demands Answers on Labour's Automatic Union Membership Policy
National's Simeon Brown says Labour and the CTU are telling different stories on automatic union membership, and wants Chris Hipkins to explain the contradiction today.
Politics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborElectionEconomyGeneral Politics Simeon BrownChris HipkinsNew Zealand Labour PartyNew Zealand National PartyCouncil of Trade Unionsautomatic union membershipNew Zealand politicsNZ National Party
-
Fire and Emergency Handles 17 Calls During 67th Firefighters' Strike
Nine of the 17 incidents fell in strike-affected areas, and Fire and Emergency is urging the NZPFU to call off further walkouts while members vote on a settlement offer.
Employment and LaborLaw EnforcementDisastersGeneral PoliticsPolitics and GovernmentBusinessTransportationElectionLabour PartyEconomy Fire and Emergency New ZealandNew Zealand Professional Firefighters UnionMegan Stifflerstrike actionHawke's BayDunedinemployment disputeFire and Emergency NZNZPFUstrikeEmployment Relations Authoritycollective bargaining
-
NZ Economic Pulse CLOSE: 9 October 2026
Stats NZ snapshot shows weaker Māori-business sales, jobs and exports; NZX 50 closes the week up 0.42%
BusinessEconomyFinancial MarketsBankingEmployment and LaborTrade NZ Economic PulseStats NZMāori authoritiesMāori businessesJune 2026 quarterNZX 50S&P/NZX 50 IndexNZX closeNZ dollarReserve BankOCRPaySauceNew Zealand Rural Land CompanyKMD Brandsa2 MilkMeridian EnergyBriscoe GroupOceania HealthcareSummerset GroupSparkInfratilFisher & Paykel Healthcareeconomic dataNew Zealand economyNZX
-
Massey Veterinary Science Places to Rise to 140 Domestic Students from 2027
New Zealand boosts funded domestic veterinary science places at Massey University from 125 to 140 a year from 2027, with a $6 million grant to offset lost international fee revenue.
Politics and GovernmentHealthEducationGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentEmployment and LaborAgriculture Massey UniversityPenny Simmondsveterinary scienceTertiary EducationPalmerston NorthEducation and Training Act 2020New Zealand Government
-
Māori Authority Sales Fall 6.5 Percent in June 2026 Quarter
Stats NZ data shows around 1,450 Māori authorities and related businesses recorded $1,013 million in sales in the June 2026 quarter, with jobs, earnings, purchases and exports all down on a year earlier.
BusinessEconomyEmployment and Labor Māori authoritiesStats NZTatauranga umanga MāoriMāori businessesNew Zealand economyfilled jobsexportsStatistics New Zealand
-
New Zealand Strengthens Support for Pacific RSE Workers With Wellbeing Training
Immigration New Zealand rolls out wellbeing training, a Cultural Awareness Framework and accommodation standards work to support Pacific workers and employers in the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEmployment and LaborAgricultureSocial Issues Recognised Seasonal Employer schemeImmigration New ZealandPacific workersToso Vaka o ManūLoua Wardwellbeing traininghorticulture and viticulture
-
TENDERS & AWARDS #17 | 9 October 2026 | NZ Public-Sector Procurement Intelligence
Health NZ opens two major health-infrastructure procurements as Dunedin, Kāpiti, Matamata-Piako, Christchurch and WorkSafe awards lead today's NZ public-sector procurement briefing
BusinessHealthPolitics and GovernmentEconomyEmployment and LaborLegalTransportation New Zealand public-sector procurementGETS tendersHealth New ZealandManukau Health Parkbuilding management systemsDunedin City CouncilKāpiti Coast District CouncilŌtaki PoolMatamata-Piako District CouncilChristchurch City CouncilTūranga libraryWorkSafe New Zealandcontract awardsclosing soontendersTENDERS & AWARDS
-
NZCTU Slams National's 47-Point Small Business Plan
National says the plan cuts compliance costs and simplifies employment rules, while the NZCTU calls it minor tweaks hiding an attack on collective bargaining.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEmployment and LaborEconomyGeneral PoliticsNational PartyElection NZCTUSandra GreyNational Party small business plancollective bargainingEmployment Relations Authorityhazardous substances labellingNew Zealand National PartyCameron BrewerSmall Business PlanSmall businessInvestment BoostGST registration thresholdNZ National Party
-
Labour Accuses National of Moving Goalposts on Jobs as Unemployment Stays High
Labour's Willow-Jean Prime says National has failed to deliver on its promise of 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker and is changing welfare rules instead of creating jobs.
Politics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborEconomySocial IssuesElection New Zealand Labour PartyWillow-Jean PrimeNational PartyJobseekerunemploymentwelfareApprenticeship BoostNew Zealand National Party
-
NZCTU Says One Mortgage Story Doesn't End Cost-of-Living Crisis
NZCTU President Sandra Grey says the Prime Minister is out of touch after citing one woman's $7,000 mortgage saving as evidence the cost-of-living crisis is over.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessElectionEconomyEmployment and LaborSocial Issues NZCTUSandra GreyChristopher Luxoncost-of-living crisisleaders' debateStatsNZ
-
Home Support Workers Struggle as Petrol Hits Record $3.88 a Litre
PSA says 23,000 home support workers fund their own cars on near-minimum wages as petrol hits $3.88 a litre, with the promised mileage rate review still outstanding.
HealthBusinessPolitics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborEnergyLegalEconomy Home support workersPetrol pricesPublic Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga MahiMileage rateFleur FitzsimonsSimeon BrownEmployment Relations Authority
-
Teacher Training Enrolments Up 40 Per Cent Since 2023
Initial teacher education enrolments have risen from 3,190 in August 2023 to 4,455 in August 2026, with the Government expanding its paid School Onsite Training Programme.
Politics and GovernmentEducationEmployment and Labor Erica Stanfordteacher trainingSchool Onsite Training Programmesecondary teachingte reo MāoriNew Zealand Government
-
New Zealand Expands Psychology Intern Hubs to Eight
New Zealand will grow its psychology intern hubs from six to eight next year, supporting up to 40 interns annually and adding Northland and Dunedin for the first time.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborEducationGeneral Politics Mental HealthPsychology Intern HubsMatt DooceyHealth New ZealandPsychology AssistantWorkforceNew Zealand Government
-
ACT Unveils Mining Policy to Cut Power Bills and Boost Regional Jobs
ACT's Simon Court announces a five-point mining policy in Greymouth, promising cheaper power, regional jobs and faster approvals while protecting high-value conservation land.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessOther PartiesEnergyEnvironmentEconomyEmployment and Labor ACT New ZealandSimon Courtmining policyWest Coast Minerals ForumGreymouthenergy securityEmissions Trading Scheme