Pay equity changes 2025

The story so far

Changes to pay equity laws, passed under urgency, raise the threshold workers must meet for claims and see 33 existing claims removed or restarted.^{13, 15 May 2025} The change raises the bar for workers to prove sex discrimination in pay, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Opposition leader Chris Hipkins have clashed over it.^{13 May 2025} Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the changes will save $12.8 billion over four years, and the Government has described the previous regime as unwieldy, while the Opposition has criticised the changes.^{22 May 2025} Cabinet ministers are scheduled to receive pay rises in July despite the changes.^{13 May 2025} Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden met the Council of Trade Unions for half an hour, and the union accused her of avoiding responsibility. Former MPs, including Dame Marilyn Waring, then formed an unofficial 'people's select committee', and protesters confronted Willis at a Christchurch business lunch.^{15, 26, 30 May 2025}

Latest

Around 290 Christchurch library workers will receive a pay increase after their pay equity claim was cancelled following the government changes.^{9 Jun 2025}

What's next

The unofficial committee intends to hold hearings and gather evidence on the changes.^{26 May 2025} Cabinet ministers' pay rises are scheduled for July.^{13 May 2025}

Key moments

1. 13 May 2025Pay equity changes passed under urgency; 33 existing claims affected.
2. 13 May 2025Luxon and Hipkins clash over higher threshold for sex discrimination claims.
3. 15 May 2025Van Velden meets Council of Trade Unions, which accuses her of avoiding responsibility.
4. 22 May 2025Willis says changes will save $12.8 billion over four years.
5. 26 May 2025Dame Marilyn Waring forms cross-party unofficial 'people's select committee' of former MPs.
6. 30 May 2025Dozens of protesters confront Willis at Christchurch post-Budget business lunch.
7. 9 Jun 2025Around 290 Christchurch library workers to get pay rise after claim cancelled.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.