10,000 NZ Public Servants Strike Against Wage Cuts and Job Losses

About 10,000 New Zealand public servants took part in a half-day strike on September 9 against the National Party-led government's moves to drive down wages. The government also intends to cut about 8,700 jobs across government departments, 14 percent of the core public sector workforce.

The strike involved workers from various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Demonstrations were held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and many other towns and cities.

Public servants have been offered pay increases below the 4.1 percent rate of inflation, with DIA staff receiving just 0.8 percent. The Public Service Association (PSA) says offers to other departments are little better. MBIE workers received a zero percent pay increase in 2025.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter spoke at the Wellington strike rally, promising to address public servants' concerns if elected. However, their past record on issues such as wage freezes and military spending raises questions about their commitment to genuine change.