New Zealand Public Servants to Strike Over Pay and Working Conditions

Nearly 10,000 New Zealand public servants will strike for several hours on September 9 after talks over pay and working conditions failed to produce an agreement.

The planned strike action adds pressure on the government ahead of a national election on November 7, with opinion polls indicating a closely contested race. Since taking office in 2023, the government has cut spending across the public sector and reduced the workforce.

The Public Service Association said employees had been offered pay increases below inflation while facing heavier workloads and pressure on agencies' ability to deliver public services after the cuts.