Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
As petrol prices hit an all-time high this week, 23,000 home support workers are struggling to make ends meet while the Government is silent on a review of their mileage rate.
“These workers travel between clients all day caring for elderly and disabled New Zealanders in their own homes and they have to fund and maintain their own car to do it, on wages at or near the minimum wage,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Workers campaigned hard earlier this year to win a mileage rate increase. That was a real win. But the new rate of 82.5 cents per kilometre is still falls below what the IRD says it actually costs to run a car for work, and it is temporary.
“The Government promised a review of the rate by 1 July. It is now October and these workers have heard nothing.
“On top of having their pay equity claim ripped away, this is a kick in the teeth for these workers.
“This low-paid predominantly female workforce hold our health system together. “
Becks, a home support worker in rural Waimate was shocked to see the petrol price reach $3.88 this week. She said, “I have clients who are only 15-minute visits but by the time I factor in the distances between them and what it costs to run my car, I’m effectively paying to do those jobs.”
Sonia, a home support worker in Greymouth said, “I’m on a low wage and I live alone. I can’t afford this. I do this work because I love it but it’s just getting so hard to get by. It’s not OK.”
Fitzsimons said, “With petrol prices hitting $3.88 per litre in areas like Waimate, home support workers urgently need a mileage rate increase that covers their actual costs, and they deserve a response from the Minister.”
The PSA has written to Health Minister Simeon Brown this week calling for a rate increase and asking for the outcome of the 2026 review of rates, which was due on 1 July. The letter is attached.
The PSA and Etū have an ongoing Employment Relations Authority claim against Health New Zealand arguing that requiring workers to fund and maintain their own vehicles as a condition of employment breaches the Employment Relations Act.
Home support workers are available for interview.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (https://www.psa.org.nz/) is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.