
Unions To Hold Nationwide Day Of Action On May Day
This Thursday 1 May (May Day) the union movement are holding a Nationwide Day of Action to fight back against the Government's anti-worker agenda.
Thousands of workers from a wide range of industries in both the public and private sectors will be taking action including participating in lunchtime hui, stop work meetings, and strike action, with key events in 12 centres from Whāngarei to Invercargill.
'Every year on May Day workers and their unions around the world celebrate the union movement, our history, and our purpose - to build workers' power and solidarity,' said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
'This year we are coming together to resist the ongoing assault on workers and unions in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past 18 months. This Government has declared war on working people. They are removing our rights, destroying jobs, and ruining the economy.
'We are sending send a strong message to those in power that we demand a better deal for working people, and an end to the attack on unions. We will also be calling on the Government to deliver pay equity and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
'Workers are sick and tired of having their rights trampled on by this Government, and this Thursday will be out in force to demand change,' said Wagstaff.
Details of nationwide events:
Whāngarei Tarewa Park 12-1pm
Auckland Manukau Plaza 12-1pm
Hamilton Hamilton Lake Rose Garden 12.30-1.30pm
New Plymouth Huatoki Plaza 12-1pm
Mt Maunganui Hopukiore (Mt Drury) Reserve 12-1pm
Rotorua Ranolf & Arawa St roundabout 12-1pm
Palmerston North Arena 3 12.30-1.30pm
Wellington Queens Wharf 12-1pm
Nelson 1903 Square (Top of Trafalgar St) 12.30-1.30pm
Christchurch Addington Raceway 12-1pm
Dunedin Otago University Student Union Hall 12.30-1.30pm
Invercargill Workingmens Club 12.30-1.30pm
In addition to these main events, health unions have organised events at hospitals focusing on workers' rights and the public health system. Details of those hui can be found here.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fieldays: Christopher Luxon faces questions as rural wellbeing fund announced
New Zealand farmers are the best in the world, the Prime Minister has told reporters at Fieldays. The annual farming event kicked off on Wednesday at Mystery Creek. It is the Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event , and this year it has a record number of exhibitors. Christopher Luxon says: "I want the farmers to know they're deeply valued and deeply loved by this government." "This is the backbone of the New Zealand economy, we are the best farmers in the world." Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay earlier unveiled the government's $4 million boost to rural wellbeing. McClay said everything they campaigned on will be delivered by the end of the term. Here's what else happened at Fieldays; Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and minister Todd McClay speak to reporters at Fieldays. Photo: RNZ / Alexa Cook Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.


NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
United States condemns New Zealand and other countries for sanctions on Israeli politicians
The United States has condemned sanctions imposed by New Zealand and other countries on two members of the Israeli Government. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has responded by saying he is confident the sanctions are 'the right course of action for us', but New Zealand has 'huge respect' for what the


Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Saying Yes To More Housing
Press Release – New Zealand Government Minister for RMA Reform Hon Simeon Brown Minister for Auckland City-shaping changes are coming to New Zealand's largest city, ensuring that Auckland can fully harness the economic growth benefits of the new City Rail Link, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill (the Bill) has been reported back to Parliament today by the Environment Committee, containing significant changes to enable housing growth in our largest cities. 'After many months, Auckland Council and the Government have reached agreement to free up more land for housing, particularly around City Rail Link (CRL) stations. These are some of the most significant changes to the shape of Auckland since the Auckland Unitary Plan,' Mr Bishop says. 'It doesn't make sense that we have single story houses on quarter acre sections a stone's throw away from stations that, in a year or so, will see trains every few minutes. 'The Government and the Council are investing billions in CRL and have a shared vision for stations that become hubs for public transport, mixed use development and new housing. 'Successive Governments and Councils have failed to grasp this opportunity for economic growth in New Zealand's largest city. This is how modern, growing cities all around the world operate, and now it's Auckland's turn.' 'Today's announcements are a result of Auckland Council and the Government working together to deliver a plan for more housing that works for Auckland. The Bill now has the effect of abolishing the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) in Auckland while requiring more housing density around key public transport corridors – a common sense solution for Auckland,' Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. 'Auckland must grow to fully meet its potential as a world-leading city. The one sized-fits-all approach of the MDRS was not appropriate for Auckland. Today's announcement will ensure our city grows where it makes the most sense and maximise on the significant investment made in the City Rail Link.' 'I want to thank Auckland Council, particularly Mayor Brown and Councillor Richard Hills, for their pragmatic approach to solving these complex challenges over many months,' Mr Bishop says. 'Mayor Brown has previously described this situation as 'RMA gymnastics' and he is right, but I am confident that these arrangements align with our shared vison of density and development in places that work for Aucklanders.' Removing ability to opt-out of the MDRS 'The Bill as introduced provided councils with the flexibility to opt out of the MDRS, if they could show they had provided for 30 years of housing growth in their district and unitary plans,' Mr Bishop says. 'Councils have been going through plan changes for years in order to incorporate the MDRS. Most councils have already substantially completed their plan changes through this process, with just three (Auckland, Christchurch and Waimakariri) yet to finish. 'The practical reality is that if councils did vote to 'opt out' of the MDRS, they would have to pass a new plan change to do so, and due to the length of time this typically takes under the RMA, by the time this was complete, the Government's new planning system is expected to be in place. 'Fundamentally, it would have achieved nothing, but cost ratepayers a lot. 'The Government has therefore taken the pragmatic view that it would be sensible to remove the ability for councils to opt out of the MDRS and to work on bespoke legislative solutions for Auckland and Christchurch instead.' New plan change for Auckland 'Auckland's intensification plan change, PC78, has been underway since 2022. Progress has been slow for many reasons, including the Auckland floods. The intensification plan change process does not allow Auckland to 'downzone' certain areas due to natural hazard risk – only to 'upzone' them – and the Council wrote to the government asking them to fix this problem,' Mr Bishop says. 'The Government has therefore agreed to change the Bill to allow Auckland to withdraw PC78. However, the government is determined to unlock housing capacity in Auckland and fix our housing crisis and has taken steps to ensure this is achieved. 'Earlier in the year I directed Auckland Council to bring forward decisions on the parts of PC78 that relate to the city centre, requiring final decisions to be made by the end of May. Auckland Council met this requirement, finalising this part of PC78 on 22 May 2025. 'These decisions made by the council are a step forward in increasing development capacity in Auckland's CBD, but there is more work to be done. 'The Bill as reported back from the committee now allows Auckland Council to remove the remaining parts of PC78, but requires them to process a new plan change urgently. This plan change must be notified by 10 October this year, and must enable housing capacity equal to or greater than that enabled by PC78. 'As I've indicated, the Government is keen to see greater density around public transport, particularly City Rail Link stations. The Bill therefore now also requires Auckland to allow for greater density around the key CRL stations of Maungawhau (Mount Eden), Kingsland, and Morningside. 'Auckland Council must enable within a walkable distance from these stations heights and densities reflective of the higher demand for housing and business in these areas. This requirement goes further than the existing requirements under the NPS-UD, and I expect heights and densities that ensure we make the most of the opportunities offered by this transformational transport project. 'The government is also considering whether further amendments to the Bill to fully maximise development opportunities around other CRL stations as necessary, and I will have more to say in due course.' 30 years of growth for Christchurch 'Christchurch City Council also requires a bespoke solution, as they have made a number of decisions on their plan change to implement the MDRS and NPS-UD, known as PC14, but have yet to complete it,' Mr Bishop says. 'Last week I released my decisions on the recommendations from the Council on parts of PC14. These decisions will enable a greater level of development in and around Christchurch City's urban centres. 'Christchurch City Council is currently required to finalise the MDRS components of PC14 by December 2025. The Bill will allow Christchurch to withdraw the MDRS parts of PC14 provided they allow for 30 years of housing growth at the same time. Assessment of that target will be made by me based on advice from officials.' Additional changes 'In addition to these changes, the Environment Select Committee has recommended a suite of changes to improve the workability of the Bill and help unlock growth in infrastructure and energy, farming and the primary sector,' Mr Bishop says. The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill will have its second reading in the coming weeks and is expected to pass into law in mid-2025.'