Pacific Waves for 18 July 2025
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RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Professional firefighters' union members reject pay offer of 5.1% over three years
The union says 99 percent of members who attended meetings rejected the offer and voted for strike action. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal The union for career firefighters has rejected Fire and Emergency New Zealand's latest pay offer of a 5.1 percent pay increase over the next three years. FENZ deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said they felt the offer, along with some increases to some allowances, was "fair" and balanced the cost of living pressures of staff alongside fiscal pressures faced by the agency. New Zealand Professional Firefighters' Union (NZPFU) national secretary Wattie Watson said 99 percent of members who attended meetings had voted to reject the offer, and voted for industrial action. Watson said it was an "appalling offer" that failed to address any of their concerns about the health and safety and the state of fire appliances. They had been bargaining since the middle of last year, and firefighters had not had a pay increase since July 2023, she said. Due to the delays, the 5.1 percent would not cover the lack of any pay increases for the past two years, Watson said. FENZ said collective agreement settlement in 2022 had provided a wage increase of up to 24 percent over a three-year period for career firefighters. However Watson said that settlement covered some of the years leading up to the settlement, and only covered wage increases until 2023. She added that that increase was for correcting decades of firefighters being underpaid. "That pay increase was a result of a process including government involvement, where it was proven that our members were so significantly underpaid when compared to other external workforces, and internally in FENZ - with corporate staff and HR staff - that there needed to be a significant uplift," she said. Meanwhile, FENZ maintained that it had invested significantly in its people and resources. "Fire and Emergency has also been investing in replacing our fleet, with 317 trucks replaced since 2017 and another 70 on order. We are currently spending over $20 million per year on replacement trucks. There is also a significant programme of station upgrades underway, as well as investment in training," Stiffler said. Watson however said that the 317 trucks mostly went to rural fire stations, and that currently the appliances at career fire stations in the urban areas were in a "dismal" state. Watson said career fire stations were expecting to get 40 trucks in the next few months, however testing had discovered that many had problems and none were ready for commissioning, Watson said. Trucks had been breaking down on their way to jobs, and pumps had also been breaking down - putting firefighters and the public at risk, she said. Members deserved a reasonable pay increase that recognised the cost of living pressures, and a package that also addressed the safety concerns, Watson said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Govt orders Sport NZ to scrap transgender inclusion guidelines
money sport 31 minutes ago NZ First's spoken about defunding sporting bodies that support trans inclusion - but its 2023 manifesto also spoke about making people healthier by promoting exercise and sport programmes including 'assisting people into sport that can't be involved' - surely those two sentiments juxtapose each other.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Head of NZ stock exchange Mark Peterson resigns
Head of the NZ Stock Exchange Mark Peterson said the time was right to stand down. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas The head of the NZ Stock Exchange (NZX), Mark Peterson, has resigned and will leave in April next year after close to a decade in the position. He said he was close to achieving certain projects aimed at developing and bringing growth for the company, and it was an appropriate time to be going. "The company is in a strong position financially - including NZX Wealth Technologies now being cashflow positive from external client activity. "NZX has an experienced and talented senior management team, is operating up-to-date and secure technology infrastructure and has a positive organisational culture and relationships with customers, stakeholders and shareholders. "This demonstrates the time is right for me to stand down and for the NZX board to appoint a new chief executive to lead NZX into the future and continue to deliver its strategic priorities." Peterson said giving such advance warning would allow a smooth transition and give plenty of time to search for a new chief executive. He joined NZX in 2015 as the head of its markets operations, was appointed acting chief executive in January 2017 and confirmed in that position in April 2017. His term was extended in August 2023. NZX chairperson John McMahon said Peterson had been an exceptional leader of NZX. "He is a highly effective all-round performer who has calmly and ably led the NZX Group through some challenging and volatile times. "Mark has also built strong relationships in New Zealand and internationally, in particular the business partnerships we have with the Singapore Stock Exchange and the European Energy Exchange." Peterson counted the launch of NZX's anonymous mid-point trading venue, NZX Dark, its equity futures products, and the expansion of its wealth management business, Smart, as key achievements. He said he believed he still had another executive role in him but did not have any firm plans other than taking a break. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
