logo
People's Select Committee On Pay Equity Encourage Submissions

People's Select Committee On Pay Equity Encourage Submissions

Scoop27-06-2025
The People's Select Committee on Pay Equity, formed by 10 former women MPs, has today provided an update on progress and released its Terms of Reference, following the Committee's first meeting.
'We are thrilled that hundreds of New Zealanders have already sent in submissions and taken the time to share their experiences and expertise with us,' said Professor Marilyn Waring DNZM.
'The Committee recently met for the first time and discussed how we would work together. We have a good range of views and understanding represented and so we are well placed to consider the legislative changes and public views.
'I encourage people to keep sending in submissions, in particular we want to ensure that we hear from employers and people who may not disagree with the law change, to ensure that a wide range of views are represented.
'We are looking forward to hearing from organisations, experts and workers at our first oral hearing, to be held in Wellington on the 11th of August 2025.
'The Committee will deliver a report at the end of this process that will provide a summary of the key themes and conclusions of the submissions, and other evidence collected from OIAs, data analyses, parliamentary debates and press statements, as well as rigorous research on pay equity. This report will be provided to Parliament and available to the public by the end of the year,' said Waring.
Notes:
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Construction Director And Engineer, Yang Kang Hong Qu, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Hibiscus And Bays Local Board
Construction Director And Engineer, Yang Kang Hong Qu, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Hibiscus And Bays Local Board

Scoop

time25 minutes ago

  • Scoop

Construction Director And Engineer, Yang Kang Hong Qu, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Hibiscus And Bays Local Board

ACT Local has selected Yang Kang Hong Qu – a construction director with an electrical engineering background, as its candidate for the Hibiscus Coast Subdivision of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board in this year's Auckland Council election. Yang, 30, is a North American expat of Chinese descent who brings an international outlook alongside practical experience in engineering and construction. As director of a local construction company, he's used to working with people from all backgrounds, solving challenges on the job, and making sure projects stay on track and on budget. He believes that same practical mindset – thinking ahead, working smart, and delivering what's promised, is exactly what council needs to better serve local people. "I'm running because I know how hard people work to pay their rates. As a construction director, I've spent years planning projects, solving problems, and keeping budgets on track, and I believe our local board should do exactly the same. Families deserve to see their money go into things that really matter in our community, like wellmaintained parks and facilities, safe local roads, and good services. A strong local board doesn't just make decisions on these things; it also advocates to council for the projects and investment our area needs. Together, we can make sure every dollar counts and build a community that works for everyone." – Yang Kang Hong Qu Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Cutting the waste Ending race-based politics Restoring accountability ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture." – Cameron Luxton

Better Awareness Of Local Body Candidates Will Lift Voter Turnout
Better Awareness Of Local Body Candidates Will Lift Voter Turnout

Scoop

timean hour ago

  • Scoop

Better Awareness Of Local Body Candidates Will Lift Voter Turnout

In a bid to boost voter turnout ahead of local elections this year, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has partnered with to ensure voters are properly informed about candidates standing in their region. gathers essential information about candidates and their policies, sourced directly from the candidates themselves, so voters can make an informed vote at election time. First launched in 2017 for parliamentary elections, the platform was expanded in 2022 to cover local elections. An understanding of candidates and their policies is one of several issues explored by LGNZ's Electoral Reform Working Group (ERWG), with the group releasing a final position paper today that includes a set of recommendations to help lift voter turnout in future elections. ERWG Chair, Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, says the group's work has identified that a lack of information about candidates is a key reason why people do not vote. 'Voters need to be able to easily access information on who is standing for election, what they stand for, and what they hope to achieve if elected. LGNZ is partnering with as an interim measure to improve our local elections in 2025,' says Mayor Nick Smith. 'Neutral third parties, such as have played an important role in supplying candidate information to voters. With the closure of 15 more community newspapers at the end of this month, the importance of this platform is now even more evident. 'I strongly encourage both candidates and voters to utilise the website to the fullest, so that New Zealanders can make informed decisions at election time. 'We are also proposing that councils for the 2025 elections provide additional orange bins at key locations such as supermarkets, malls and libraries, given the decline in post. These were used very effectively in the 2024 special Tauranga City Council election, with 86% of voting papers returned via the orange bins. 'Using to improve candidate information and orange bins for returning voting papers are just interim measures being proposed for the 2025 elections. We are recommending a far greater shakeup for future elections but this will require legislative reform. 'The current Local Electoral Act is tired and outdated. Participation rates have dropped so low they are a risk to our mandate to speak on behalf of our communities. We need to reassert the importance of local democracy and update the system, so it works better for New Zealand. We are proposing to align the local electoral system as closely as possible with the parliamentary system where voter participation is twice as high.' LGNZ President Sam Broughton says councils make decisions that impact people's lives on a daily basis. 'Councils are responsible for things like local roads, drinking water and wastewater systems, parks and public transport, rubbish and recycling to pools and libraries. It's easy to take these services for granted and for people to wonder what they get for their rates without seeing how councils shape their lives,' says Sam Broughton. 'We need those people to have their say and to vote, so that councils deliver what communities want. Delivering what 40% want isn't enough. 'LGNZ will be advocating hard for this report's recommendations, which have strong support, and we'll work to shift that support into action for the 2028 elections.' View the ERWG final position paper at: About LGNZ: LGNZ champions, connects and supports local government. We represent the national interest of councils across New Zealand to deliver more of what matters in their communities. LGNZ is involved in policy, reforms, programmes, and advocacy as well as providing advice, consultancy and training to councils and their staff.

Bill to assure cash option
Bill to assure cash option

Otago Daily Times

time6 hours ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Bill to assure cash option

A proposal to safeguard New Zealanders' right to pay with cash has been welcomed by a national advocacy leader. New Zealand First has introduced a Member's Bill to safeguard New Zealanders' use of cash. The Bill would secure cash as a private, accessible and reliable form of payment. The Cash Transactions Protection Bill would require vendors to accept cash for purchases up to $500. It highlighted cash as a critical tool for vulnerable populations such as rural communities, the elderly and low-income earners facing barriers to digital banking. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said people who relied on cash because of barriers to digital banking deserved assurance it would be preserved in an increasingly digital world. "The Bill ensures that New Zealanders maintain freedom of choice in how they pay, preserving cash as what it should be: an enduring private and reliable option," he said. Grey Power New Zealand national president Gayle Chambers said, in her personal view, it was "a great Bill". "To have a cashless society is unthinkable." Many people carried cash for various reasons such as attending garage sales, school galas or car boot sales. It was useful when paying for small change items, such as a newspaper or a lollipop. It became essential when eftpos terminals failed and retailers could only accept physical currency. From paying the lawnmower man to the tooth fairy, the list went on, she said. "Hard cold cash should always be legal tender."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store