Guardian

New Zealand mega strike: 100,000 public sector workers demand better conditions

Reuters

Massive Strike New Zealand 100000 Demand Better Pay Conditions 2025 10 23

More than 100,000 public sector workers across New Zealand participated in a nationwide strike on October 23, 2025, including approximately 36,000 nurses, 40,000 teachers, 4,000 senior doctors and 15,000 public service staff.</span

The Epoch Times

More than 100,000 public sector workers across New Zealand participated in a nationwide strike on October 23, 2025, including approximately 36,000 nurses, 40,000 teachers, 4,000 senior doctors and 15,000 public service staff.

The strike action followed stalled collective bargaining negotiations, with unions rejecting government wage offers of approximately 2 percent annually while inflation stands at 3 percent and food costs have risen 4.6 percent.</span

World Socialist Web Site

The strike action followed stalled collective bargaining negotiations, with unions rejecting government wage offers of approximately 2 percent annually while inflation stands at 3 percent and food costs have risen 4.6 percent.

Public Service Minister Judith Collins described the strike as unfair and politically motivated, stating it would harm thousands of patients and students, while unions argued they were defending essential public services.</span

Eastern Times

Public Service Minister Judith Collins described the strike as unfair and politically motivated, stating it would harm thousands of patients and students, while unions argued they were defending essential public services.

Health Minister Simeon Brown noted that senior doctors receive average total compensation of $343,500 including overtime, six weeks annual leave and fully paid sabbaticals, while unions cited patient safety concerns from staffing shortages.</span

Health Minister Simeon Brown noted that senior doctors receive average total compensation of $343,500 including overtime, six weeks annual leave and fully paid sabbaticals, while unions cited patient safety concerns from staffing shortages.

A Talbot Mills Research poll found 65 percent of the public supported the strike action, with nearly half of coalition government voters also expressing support for the industrial action.</span

A Talbot Mills Research poll found 65 percent of the public supported the strike action, with nearly half of coalition government voters also expressing support for the industrial action.

The strike was described as potentially the largest industrial action since 1979, when New Zealand experienced its last general strike involving more than 300,000 workers during the Muldoon government era.</span

The Spinoff

The strike was described as potentially the largest industrial action since 1979, when New Zealand experienced its last general strike involving more than 300,000 workers during the Muldoon government era.

100,000+ NZ Public Workers Strike in Largest Action Since 1979

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100,000+ NZ Public Workers Strike in Largest Action Since 1979

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