Around 10,000 public servants to strike over pay next week

Tuesday 1 September 2026 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Tue 1 Sep, 11:47am

In this story Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Paul Goldsmith, Department of Internal Affairs, Public Service Association, Ministry of Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency

Approximately 10,000 Public Service Association members will strike from 1pm on Wednesday, 9 September, due to ongoing pay negotiations. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated he would prefer workers to be working, while Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith described the industrial action as a political campaign.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffTue 1 Sep, 5:00am

   Ten thousand public servants to strike next week over pay, union says (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesTue 1 Sep, 11:41am

   Luxon says striking public servants ‘should be at work' (opens in new tab)

3. Waikato Times via RNZTue 1 Sep, 11:47am

   ‘They should be at work’: Christopher Luxon on 10,000 striking public servants (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab)