Union Welcomes Pay Equity Boost for Care and Support Workers Supporting Whānau

AUCKLAND — Union E tū has welcomed a new commitment to provide financial relief for tens of thousands of care and support workers, describing a proposed wage increase as a vital downpayment for a workforce that sustains Aotearoa’s most vulnerable whānau. On 6 October 2026, Waatea News reported the union’s response to a pledge to increase pay for the sector by $4 an hour starting 1 January 2027. The proposed increase is expected to cover approximately 65,000 workers who provide essential services for older people, disabled individuals, and others requiring support to live with dignity. E tū National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh told Waatea that while the union views this as an immediate boost to household incomes, the ultimate goal remains a full pay equity settlement that reflects the true skills and responsibilities of the work. According to financial projections reported by Waatea, a full-time worker could see an increase of approximately $160 a week before tax, amounting to over $8,000 annually. Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds has previously committed to settling the care and support workers’ pay equity claim by the first Budget of a potential new government. The union noted that this commitment would build on a pay equity campaign that has stretched back many years. Beyond immediate financial relief, E tū argues that fair compensation is a key driver for workforce stability and the health of local communities. The union also highlighted the importance of restoring pay equity legislation within the first 100 days of a new government to ensure existing claims are recognised without workers needing to restart the legal process. Mackintosh joined Waatea to discuss how the proposed increase would impact workers around the kitchen table while maintaining that further steps are necessary to achieve final pay equity.