Thousands of tertiary staff strike over pay and working conditions
Wednesday 21 October 2026 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated In this story Tertiary Education Union
Approximately 8,000 Tertiary Education Union members across New Zealand universities and polytechnics went on strike on Wednesday. The industrial action, which lasted from 1:15pm to 5pm, was called to protest against pay offers and job insecurity.
Key facts
3 facts
- Approximately 8,000 Tertiary Education Union members participated in the strike
- The strike occurred on Wednesday between 1:15pm and 5pm
- Negotiations in the polytechnic sector have been ongoing for 10 months
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
Approximately 8,000 Tertiary Education Union members across New Zealand's university and polytechnic sectors walked off the job on Wednesday between 1:15pm and 5pm. The industrial action, described by the union as the first joint strike across both sectors, was held to protest pay, workload, and job insecurity. In Palmerston North, UCOL members marched through the city to meet Massey University members at Te Marae o Hine-The Square.
The union argues that current pay offers do not meet the cost of living. Massey University staff reported being offered 2.25% in the first year and 2% in the second, while seeking increases of 5% to 6%. UCOL branch president Jenn Tipene-Leach stated the current offer for UCOL was not close to the union's request for a 6% increase in the first year and 5% in the second.
Job precarity was a central theme of the strike, with the union noting that a high percentage of staff are on temporary or casual contracts. One report stated 58.4% of university staff are on temporary fixed-term agreements, while another cited the figure as 54.8%. Union national president-tiriti Ti Lamusse claimed that the use of fixed-term contracts is taking a mental toll on staff.
Several institutions responded to the action. The University of Auckland acknowledged the right to strike but noted most staff are not union members. Massey University and UCOL both stated they remain committed to constructive, good-faith bargaining. Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec chief executive Christina Hong noted that classes would continue during the strike period.
How it developed
- Wed 21 Oct, 6:34pmUnion national president-tiriti Ti Lamusse stated that tertiary education funding has fallen in real terms every year under the current government.
Where reports differ
- Reports provided different percentages for university staff on fixed-term or casual agreements, with one citing 58.4% and another citing 54.8%
Compiled from reports by The Press, RNZ, The Post and 1News.