Government turns back clock on pay equity for teachers

"This claim has followed a robust and agreed process between all parties," said PPTA Te Wehengarua President Chris Abercrombie.

"We’ve conducted more than 300 interviews with teachers and comparator roles across the sector, using a consistent, agreed-upon tool to gather data. That evidence has been through consultation with both teachers and principals. To have the Government now walk away from that work is nothing short of disgraceful."

The Government’s announcement comes with no attempt to engage in a fair public process. "The Minister’s decision to bypass the select committee stage shows a lack of confidence in the public’s response. This Government knows New Zealanders value fairness—and it's clearly afraid to face the backlash."

Chris Abercrombie said the move sends a disturbing signal in the lead-up to teacher collective negotiations. "This Government has made a choice—a deliberate choice not to value work that is predominantly done by women. It’s a message to teachers, many of whom engaged in the claim process in good faith, that their contribution doesn’t count. It feels like we’ve been sent back to the 1950s.

"The integrity of the pay equity process is now being undermined by political interference. Every step in this process has met legal and procedural standards, and was conducted in good faith under an agreement with previous governments.

"This isn't just about teachers. This is about whether Aotearoa New Zealand is committed to addressing the historical undervaluation of women’s work. This decision breaks faith with that commitment."

Chris Abercrombie said the implications would be felt beyond the pay equity process. "At a time of ongoing teacher shortages, this sends the worst possible message about how we treat and retain our workforce. It’s also a blow to the trust teachers have in a process that was supposed to deliver justice and fairness. Our members are rightly angry.

“When delivering last year’s budget and its completely unaffordable tax cuts, the Finance Minister said that her coalition government represented ‘the parties of the worker.’