Maritime Union Backs Public Sector Strike this 23 October 2025

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Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is backing the thousands of public sector workers striking for fair pay and safe services this Thursday, 23 October.

MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says the fight for a properly funded public sector is a fight for all working New Zealanders.

“Our members work on the 99% of New Zealand’s goods that move through our ports, but we know New Zealand also relies on the nurses, healthcare workers, teachers, and school support staff who are being forced to walk off the job to be heard,” says Mr. Findlay.

Mr. Findlay says the Government’s attempts to paint striking workers as “politically motivated” are a cynical distraction from its own failures.

“This action is about skilled workers who can’t afford their rent. It’s about nurses burning out in unsafe, understaffed hospitals. These workers are not taking action lightly, they are being driven to it by a Government that prefers to spread misinformation rather than bargain in good faith.”

The Maritime Union says it’s time for workers to fight back, and remind the Government that the wealth of New Zealand is produced by workers, who deserve good pay, good conditions and good standards in their jobs.

“We hear the same tired excuses in our industry that investment in people and safety is a cost rather than the backbone of a productive economy,” says Mr. Findlay.

“This is a matter of political priorities. This Government can find money for senior managers, consultants and tax cuts that benefit a privileged few, but claims the cupboard is bare for the people who look after our sick and educate our children.”

Mr Findlay says maritime workers stand in full solidarity with every public sector worker on the picket line tomorrow.

“Their fight is our fight. An injury to one is an injury to all.”

Strike events

WEATHER UPDATE: All strikes are still going ahead, but some rallies are cancelled or have moved venues because of strong weather warnings.

If you’re a striking member and your local rally is cancelled, you should still undertake your strike action.

City Time Location
Kaitaia 10.30am-12pm 10.30am – Assemble at Te Ahu cnr SH 1 & Mathews

11am – March to old Pak n Save carpark

11.30am – Rally

12pm – Finish

Whang?rei 11.30am-1pm 11.30am – Assemble Laurie Hall Park carpark

12pm – March to Town Basin

12.30pm – Rally at grassed area by Rayburn House Lane

1pm – Finish

Auckland 12-2pm 12pm – Assemble in Aotea Square

1pm – March down Queen St

1.45pm – Closing at Komititanga Square

This event has NZSL interpreters

West Auckland 7.30-9.30am Corner of Lincoln Road and Universal Road.
Thames 11am-1pm 11am – Wh?nau friendly event in Porrit Park

11.30am – Formalities

12pm – Form a human wall along the Queen St side of the park, followed by a h?koi to Scott Simpson’s office

Hamilton 11.30am-1.30pm 11.30am – Meet at Band Rotunda, Victoria Street

11.45am – March to Garden Place

12.30pm – Speeches at Garden Place

1.30pm – Finish

This event has NZSL interpreters

Taup? 10.30am-1pm 10.30am – Gather on Taup? Primary School back field opposite Taup? medical centre

11.25am – Karakia Timatanga

11.30am – H?koi

12.15pm – Rally at the I Love Taup? sign

12.30pm – Speeches

12.50pm – Karakia Whakamutunga

T?rangi 11am-1pm Gather at T?rangi Bridge
Taumarunui 11.30am Picket at at Hakiaha Street, outside the Main Street playground (Taumarunui public toilets)
Tokoroa 11am-1pm 11:00am – Skate Park (corner of O’Sullivan Drive and Roslin Street)
Tauranga 11am-1.30pm 11am – Meet at Memorial Park

11.30am – Speeches then sign waving

This event has NZSL interpreters

Te K?iti 11am Outside The Warehouse, 31 Rora Street
Whakat?ne 11am-3pm 11.30am – Gather at Council Buildings, Commerce St. Hikoi along The Strand to Wharaurangi for rally and speeches
Rotorua 11am-1.30pm 11am – Various meeting points then travel to Village Green

11.30am – Arrive at Village Green

12pm – Speeches, sign waving, kai etc

This event has NZSL interpreters

Gisborne 11am-1pm Rally at Heipipi Park then march through town finishing at Kelvin Park.
Wairoa 8.30-9.30am Gather at the lighthouse, then travel to Gisborne or Napier to join the larger action.
Hawke’s Bay 11am-1pm 11am – Gather at Napier Sound Shell

11.30am – Speakers

12.15pm – March down Emerson Street to Clive Square

1pm – Finish

New Plymouth 11am-1pm Rally at the Puke Ariki Landing. Street March through the CBD – Ariki Street – Egmont St – Devon St East – Gover St-Gill St – Ariki St and back to the Puke Ariki Landing
Palmerston North 11.15am-1pm Meet at Railway Land Reserve, and march down Church Street to the cenotaph for a rally.
Whanganui 11.30am-1.30pm 11.30am – Meet at the town bridge and march up Victoria Avenue to Majestic Square

12.30pm – Rally at Majestic Square

1.30pm – Finish

Wellington 12-2pm CANCELLED due to weather
Levin 11.15am-1pm 11.15am – Meet at the Adventure Park (93 Oxford Street, Levin) 11.30am – March through town and back to the Adventure Park 12.30-1pm – Finish
Wairarapa 11am-1pm CANCELLED due to weather
Nelson 11.30am-1.30pm 11.30am – Meet by Nelson Library.

12pm – March down Trafalgar Street to Cathedral steps

12.30pm – Hui at Cathedral steps with speeches

1.30pm – Hui concludes

Takaka/Golden Bay 7.30am Picket outside Golden Bay High, meeting at Village Green
Motueka 7.30-9.30am 7:30am – Occupy both sides of road by Toad Hall (chants, placards, megaphones)

8:30am – Move to space outside Motueka Museum for more of the same

Blenheim 11am-2.30pm CANCELLED due to weather
Greymouth 11.30am NEW VENUE

Westland Recreation Centre

Hokitika NEW VENUE

Hokitika Westland RSA

Christchurch 11.00am-1.30pm CANCELLED due to weather
Te Tai o Poutini 9am-2.30pm NEW VENUE

9am – Hokitika: Changed to Hokitika Westland RSA

11.30am – Greymouth: Changed to Westland Recreation Centre

1.30pm – Westport: Changed to Westport Bridge Club.

Mid Canterbury 11.30am-2pm CANCELLED due to weather
South Canterbury 11.30am-2pm CANCELLED due to weather
Oamaru 10-11am CANCELLED due to weather
Alexandra 11am-1pm CANCELLED due to weather
Wanaka 11am-12pm CANCELLED due to weather
Queenstown 12-2pm NEW VENUE

St Peter’s Church

Dunedin 11.45am-1.30pm NEW VENUE

Edgar Centre (TBC looks hopeful) meet at 11:45am – Rally start will be 12 noon

Balclutha 11am-1pm NEW VENUE

Inside Te Pou.

Cromwell 11.30am-1pm CANCELLED due to weather
Hokonui/Gore 11am-1pm Meet at Eccles St playground for a march to the Trout – Rally at 12 noon
Invercargill 11am-1.30pm NEW VENUE

ILT Stadium Southland

MIL OSI

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