Source: Workers First Union
WHAT:
Unions, community groups and anti-racism campaigners will be hosting a march against racism and xenophobia in Auckland this Saturday.
Supporters say the Coalition Government has endorsed and repeated hateful and divisive messages that threaten the safety and wellbeing of New Zealand’s workers, and they are calling for mass enrolment and a change of government in November.
WHEN:
Saturday October 17 2026, 14:00-16:00
WHERE:
March begins at Waitematā Station (Britomart) and finishes at Aotea Square, Queen Street, Auckland.
WHY:
Dennis Maga, Workers First General Secretary, said that Māori, Pasifika and migrant workers were dealing with a rising tide of racism and xenophobia due to the actions of the National-ACT-NZ First Government, and a new collective called ‘All Workers United’ was forming to stand up for workers under attack.
“We’re excited to come together as a movement and affirm that we have zero tolerance for racism and xenophobia in Aotearoa,” said Mr Maga.
“Whether it’s Winston Peters belittling migrant workers, Shane Jones spewing bilious hatred towards Indian people, or David Seymour attacking Te Tiriti o Waitangi, this Government has emboldened racists and xenophobes like never before.”
“The time has come for working people to say ‘enough is enough’ and fight back loudly and proudly for a fairer country that values the million migrants who have made their home here.”
Speeches will take place at the beginning of the rally in Waitematā Station, including a statement of support from author Nicky Hager, whose recent ‘Dirty Work’ book exposes the Coalition Government’s deep links to far-right groups and their racist campaign against Three Waters legislation.
March attendees will hand out flyers (http://workersfirst.nz/hawkfile/2193/original/AWU-flyer.pdf) (linked) encouraging members of the public to check their enrolment at vote.nz and use their vote to change the government this election.
Supporters of the new All Workers United group who are coordinating the march include the following:
- NZCTU Kaimahi
- Te Rūnanga o Ngā Kaimahi Māori o Aotearoa
- NZCTU Komiti Pasefika
- Workers First Union
- PSA
- E tū
- Unite Union
- Directors and Editors Guild
- Postal Workers Union
- Tertiary Education Union
- NZEI
- RMTU
- Migrant Workers Association
- Pasefika Fono
- Migrante Aotearoa
- Kaiāwhina
- Rūnanga (Workers First)
- United Filipino Bus Drivers
- Union Network of Migrants NZ
- Filipino Care Workers United
- Migrant Rights Network NZ
- Love Aotearoa, Hate Racism
- IMA Aotearoa
- Migrant Action Trust
- Toitū Te Aroha
- ActionStation