Carers’ pay equity highlighted on Human Rights Day – E tū

January 8, 2025

Source: Etu Union

On International Human Rights Day, E tū is calling on the Government to help fix gender-based pay discrimination by delivering pay equity for care and support workers.

E tū is the union for care and support workers, including those working in residential aged care, home support, disability support, and mental health and addictions. Over 65,000 care workers in Aotearoa New Zealand have been in a prolonged process for a pay equity settlement.

E tū Community Support Services Industry Council Convenor, Marianne Bishop, says it’s important to acknowledge the disparity on International Human Rights Day.

“The underpayment of people working in the care sector is a global issue, which reflects the undervaluation of work traditionally done by women,” Marianne says.

“In Aotearoa, we made some progress with Kristine Barlett’s historic equal pay settlement in 2017, but the pay has slipped back to near the minimum wage.

“A decent and enduring pay equity settlement is well overdue. Carers do this job because we want to make a real difference, and help people live their lives with dignity. Poor rates of pay are taking advantage of our commitment to helping people.

“By valuing care and support workers, we also show that we value the vulnerable elderly and disabled people who they care for.”

E tū National Secretary, Rachel Mackintosh, says fixing pay equity is an important human rights issue.

“Human Rights Day commemorates the anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),” Rachel says.

“This landmark document enshrines the rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

“To honour our commitment to human rights, we must end gender-based pay discrimination. Aotearoa has had some significant pay equity victories, but care and support workers are still waiting – and they’re fed up.

“It comes down to a political choice. The Government has prioritised tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies, but won’t front up to pay women fairly.

“They must choose a different path, to prioritise working people and our communities. A decent and enduring pay equity settlement would be an excellent start.”

E tū is part of the Pay Equity Coalition Aotearoa (PECA), an alliance of civil society organisations working together to bridge the gender pay gap.

MIL OSI

Passion for leadership led teacher to leave profession and study Graduate Diploma in Business at EIT | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

December 9, 2024

Tori Cowan-Smith has recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Business at EIT.

A teacher who earned her qualifications at EIT before embarking on a successful early childhood education career, has successfully pivoted to complete a Graduate Diploma in Business and found a job in management.

Tori Cowan-Smith, 26, who was born in Wellington but grew up in Hastings, finishing school at Karamu High School in Hastings.

Tori says that having grown up amongst many children in the family, studying to be a teacher was the natural pathway. It made sense to stay local and go to EIT, where she completed a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).

“I’ve got a lot of cousins and young siblings and I think I just really liked to be around kids. Even at school I was always a natural leader so it just felt right”

“I just thought that I would give it a go because at the time it was a toss-up between early childhood or business. I decided to do early childhood and see where that takes me.”

She finished her degree in 2019, and has been teaching in early childhood full time for the past five years, the most recent place of work being Launch Active Early Learning Centre on Pakowhai Road.

Her role as a Team Leader drove that desire to study further and gain more experience in management. Over time this desire grew stronger, so Tori enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Business at EIT’s School of Business.

“I do have a really big passion for education, and I think the more time I spent in the education system, the more I realised I really enjoyed being a leader of teachers. So that grew my love of business, especially in HR and people and building strong teams.”

Tori majored in Management, but soon found herself drawn to HR.

“My lecturer Russell Booth also helped me realise that my strengths were in building relationships and helping people grow, so I just ran with that idea.”

Halfway through the programme, Russell was told a job was going at Te Whatu Ora, so he suggested it to Tori.

She applied for and was given the role in Organisational Culture and Development.

“It’s a learning and development-based role where I coordinate the learning for nurses employees in different areas of the hospital, both in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne”

In another irony, her role sees her dealing with EIT nursing students and graduates who come to Te Whatu Ora.

Despite juggling work and study (up until this month when she finished at EIT), Tori is loving her role.

“I’ve made a lot of good connections there and I’ve gained new insight into the healthcare system. I’ve got a really good team and I feel like I definitely get to use my strengths and I feel valued in what I do. It’s meaningful work.”

While doing her Master’s degree is a consideration in the future, for now she is content to focus on her job and career.

EIT Head of the School of Business, Dr Gareth Allison, said: “Tori’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of lifelong learning. Her ability to transition from early childhood education to business management while leveraging her skills in leadership and teamwork highlights the diverse opportunities a foundation in education can provide.”

“We’re proud to see EIT alumni like Tori thriving in their careers and creating meaningful impact through their professional growth.”

MIL OSI

Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: Green Party

The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs.

“This has nothing to do with free speech, this is about polluting our public discourse for political gain,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Tertiary Education, Francisco Hernadez.

“Universities play a critical role in our society, providing a platform for informed and reasoned debate, the kind of debate that allows us to grow.

“Our universities should be able to decide who is given a platform on their campuses, not David Seymour. These changes risk turning our universities into hostile environments unsafe for marginalised communities.

“Misinformation, disinformation, and rhetoric that inflames hatred towards certain groups has no place in our society, let alone our universities. Freedom of speech is fundamental, but it is not a licence to harm. It is imperative universities are trusted to ensure the balance is struck between academic freedom and a duty of care.

“Today’s announcement has also come with a high dose of unintended irony. David Seymour is speaking out of both sides of his mouth by on the one hand claiming to support freedom of speech, but on the other looking to limit the ability universities have to take stances on issues, like the war in Gaza for example.

“This is an Orwellian attempt to limit discourse to the confines of the Government’s agenda. This is about stoking fear and division for political gain.

“To provide space for robust academic discussions, universities need to foster a safe, inclusive environment.

“Universities are already navigating significant challenges under this Government, including chronic underfunding, and stretched resources. Rather than legislative mandates which will divert attention from the essential work of education, we must support universities to help us isolate misinformation from information and absolutism from nuance,” says Francisco Hernandez.

MIL OSI

ECE no place to cut corners

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: Green Party

The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako.

“The Government is trying to cut corners on the education of our tamariki, setting them up to fail while setting up businesses for boosted profits,” says Green Party spokesperson for Early Childhood Education, Benjamin Doyle.

“Every child in Aotearoa deserves the best start in life. That demands an ECE system that places tamariki at its core, with highly qualified kaiako who are valued and supported.

“The report, released today, recommends what it calls “greater flexibility in workforce qualifications” to support access to ECE. This is a huge concern. Reducing qualification requirements in ECE poses a serious risk to quality, leading to reduced outcomes for children and undermining professionalism of the workforce.

“David Seymour and his Ministry of Regulation are laser focussed on how to make ECE more profitable for corporate chains, rather than prioritising what we know works: delivering child-centred education that nurtures our youngest learners. This profit-driven lens risks compromising the care and education our tamariki deserve.

“Further, this obsession with perceived ‘red tape’ will do nothing to address the core challenges faced by ECEs, such as rising fees and chronic underfunding.

“This report neglects the importance of the work being done by ECE kaiako, who are already under immense pressure due to high workloads, poor ratios, and lack of investment into their pay, training, and wellbeing. This report indicates they could be pushed even further.

“Our ECE kaiako are already consistently undermined, undervalued, and underpaid. Yet, this report pits parents against teachers, framing the issue as one of cost, rather than quality. We won’t stand for it. Children deserve the best start in life, and that requires qualified, well-supported, and well-resourced teachers who are empowered to provide high-quality care and education.

“ECE is not somewhere we can afford to cut corners. This is about the wellbeing of our youngest citizens. Research quite clearly shows that the first 1000 days are foundational to a child’s early development.

“We need a system that places tamariki at the heart of decision-making, prioritising their needs as well as those of kaiako and whānau.

“The Green Party will continue to back kaiako and fight for a system that invests in tamariki and their whānau from day one–one which supports qualified teachers, fair pay, and teacher-to-child ratios that enable tamariki to thrive,” says Benjamin Doyle.

The Govt’s full report can be found here: Regulatory Review of Early Childhood Education – full report | Ministry for Regulation

MIL OSI

Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: Green Party

The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today.

“The industry is on notice: consents granted under this regime that shortcut our democracy, sidestep environmental protections and degrade te taiao will be revoked by a Green Government,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham.

“This legislation is our out-of-touch Government’s gift to Kiwis to digest while they enjoy their summer in the stunning natural environment, knowing so much of it is now open to private interests to develop it under fast-track for the sake of making a quick buck.

“The environment provides the basis for life itself. We must be responsible stewards of the natural world which sustains us, and ditch the regressive exploitative and extractive approach that benefits an already wealthy few at the expense of all of us.

“Despite numerous democratic and environmental red flags, this legislation looks set to push through a raft of dangerous projects without proper checks and balances. New Zealanders do not want or deserve the environmental destruction this legislation looks set to unleash.

“What’s worse is that Cabinet has approved a raft of projects said to have ‘significant national or regional benefits’ despite companies failing to even bother answering this question in their application.

“Companies who are meant to disclose their track record of prior compliance or enforcement actions against them, have in numerous cases failed to do so. Despite some having a concerning track record when it comes to compliance and environmental damage, this Government is inexplicably giving them the green light to bulldoze our natural world for private gain all over again.

“This legislation has been shrouded in smoke and mirrors from the start and covered in controversy from the outset. A Green Government will put people and planet before profit and revoke consents that exploit our environment under the fast track,” says Lan Pham.

MIL OSI

Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: Green Party

The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces.

“Christopher Luxon is choosing to prolong the recession and kneecap productivity through merciless cuts,” says the Green Party Co-Leader and Finance spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.

“Today’s HYEFU shows the Government’s trickle-down decisions come at the cost of the very ‘economic growth’ they crow so much about. It doesn’t add up and it doesn’t make sense, and they clearly don’t care.

“For all the bluster, ‘the economy’ is just all of us, the things we make, and the rules we put in place to create the world we want to live in. Under a Green Government, people and planet would be put before profit, through a fairer tax system and a guaranteed minimum income.

“But right now, the Government is redistributing wealth upwards with their trickle-down tax cuts, while gutting public services and infrastructure spending, and shifting costs onto regular people.

“This is the austerity play book: defund public services to failure, watch them fail, then privatise; take the so-called ‘cost’ off the Government’s books and watch those costs rise for regular people.

“Christopher Luxon’s Government wants to play Monopoly when what we need is a responsible Government. It would pay for them to learn that the game was designed to educate children about the pitfalls of an economy premised on land speculation and luck,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

MIL OSI

Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: Green Party

The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many.

“This adds insult to injury for our workers who have been under constant attack under this Government,” says Green Party spokesperson for Workplace Relations, Teanau Tuiono.

“The Green Party’s Income Guarantee provides a clear alternative, a commitment to every New Zealander that no matter what, you will have enough to put food on the table, a safe place to call home, and live a decent life–all paid for with a fair tax system.

“While the Government claims this move supports its objective of reducing the number of people claiming the Jobseeker benefit, it fails, miserably, to address the reality for many workers. The assertion that work is the pathway out of poverty rings hollow when minimum wage is no guarantee of the ability to pay rent, feed a family, or pay for essential things like healthcare.

“Shockingly, half of children living in poverty live in households whose primary income comes from work.

“Further, rents are increasing significantly faster than minimum wage increases, with a massive 4.1 per cent increase in rent costs from November last year. The system is failing those it claims to support.

“Choosing to raise the minimum wage by less than inflation means more people will face mounting debt and will struggle to cover the basics, let alone afford the unexpected costs of medical care, childcare, or urgent repairs.

“The Government’s decision today does not reflect what New Zealanders deserve. It’s time for bold action that prioritises the well-being of workers and their families, not more pandering to the rich at the expense of the rest of us,” says Teanau Tuiono.

NOTES:

MIL OSI

Kopinga Marae

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Manawareka tch mauriora

It is such a great privilege for Richard and me to come to Kopinga.

Thank you so much for inviting us to be here today – and for taking us to see the rakau momori and for sharing your knowledge with us.

I appreciate what this beautiful, tranquil building has come to represent: your aroha and respect for your karapuna [ancestors], your commitment to your identity, culture, language, and heritage – and to the legacy of peace bequeathed to you.

I acknowledge the struggle to maintain a Moriori identity and commend you for your work to revive Te Re Moriori as a living language, and bring together here knowledge about your traditions and customs.

You have honoured your ancestors by holding fast to what matters. You have created a foundation for Moriori to build on for the future.

I wish you all the very best with your mission.

Me rongo

MIL OSI

Community Lunch, Chatham Islands

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Kioranga

Nau mai haere mai

Welcome everyone to today’s lunch. Thank you for coming. We are so pleased to return some of the wonderful hospitality we have received here.

I specifically acknowledge:

Her Worship Monique Croon
Ricki Hapi
Ward Kamo
Paul Eagle and

Toni Gregory-Hunt

I understand your police officers, Lucie and Will Joines are about to finish their time on the Chathams. On behalf of everyone here, I acknowledge their many years of service, and wish them all the very best for their next posting.

I know that three days in the Chathams barely scratches the surface, and you probably get fed up with people arriving from Wellington and telling you what’s what.

However, I hope you’ll indulge me as I share some general impressions.

We loved spending time with your children yesterday, and I can see how much their independent spirit, community spirit and can-do attitude is connected to growing up in an isolated and utterly unique landscape.

We’ve heard something of the history of these islands, during our visits to Whakamaharatanga and Kopinga marae, the Tommy Solomon statue, and when we saw the kopi trees with their rakau momori. We are looking forward to learning more about the Chathams’ history and geology at the Museum this afternoon.

All in all, this has been an unforgettable few days, and we will definitely be back!

We leave tomorrow morning, and I may have to drag Richard away. He spent some years on the Falkland Islands as a medical officer, and feels quite at home here, especially at the Health Centre – he knows what it is like to deal with every kind of medical emergency on remote islands.

I now have some understanding why Chatham Islanders feel compelled to return here from all points of the globe. There is nowhere else quite like this place.

As you know, Governors-General represent our nation’s Head of State, His Majesty King Charles III. And you probably know about his passion for the environment and the wellbeing of the planet.

Here on Rēkohu, I know I am speaking to the converted, because you have such a close relationship with the natural world. I know King Charles will be heartened to hear about your community efforts to conserve the land, eradicate pests and protect vulnerable species.

Working together for the wellbeing of the land, the sea, your precious wildlife – and your fellow Islanders – will deliver a sustainable future for yourselves, your children, and your children’s children.

It takes a great deal to create a community. A shared vision, a shared sense of purpose, a common history and a pride in the unique identify of your members and their contribution to your islands. I have thoroughly appreciated being met with your hearts and heads during my time here visiting this wonderful place, the Chatham Islands, Rekohu. It is a jewel in our crown.

I won’t hold up proceedings any further, except to wish you all the best for the holiday season.

I hope to get round and meet everyone here – and after my Government House Kaumatua, Joe Harawira has blessed the kai – please do help yourselves.

Matua Joe, I invite you now to bless the kai.

MIL OSI

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi 2024 Icon Awards Whakamana Hiranga

LiveNews Publisher

January 8, 2025

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Kei aku nui kei, aku rahi ngā Māreikura, ngā Whatukura. Nau mai, piki mai, kake mai, i runga i te kaupapa o te ra. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

I’d like to begin by specifically acknowledging: Tā Pita Sharples, 2024 Icon Award Whakamana Hiranga recipient, and Te Rangimarie Sharples; Chelsea Winstanley, Co-Chair of The Arts Foundation; Kent Gardner, Outgoing Co-Chair, and Hamish Edgar, Incoming Co-Chair; Jessica Palalagi, General Manager, The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi. And to all our very distinguished guests – tēnā koutou katoa.

As Governor-General, and patron of The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi, I’m delighted to welcome you all to Government House for this very special event – to celebrate our two newest Whakamana Hiranga Icons, and this year’s recipient of the Harriet Friedlander Residency.

I know that, in this instance, the word ‘icon’ is not used lightly – and that our two newest icons have truly earned that mantle: not only through their dedication to their respective crafts over so many years, but also the generosity with which they have shared their work with New Zealand, and with the world.

Tā Pita Sharples – your extraordinary career has straddled the worlds of academia, politics, Māori development, and the arts. The thread that connects these worlds has been your staunch commitment to representing, celebrating, and empowering te ao Māori.

I certainly remember your spearheading of kapa haka, the Hoani Waititi Marae, kohanga reo, and kura kaupapa in West Auckland during my formative years, and the early years of my children. To them, you will always be Matua Pita.

Tonight, we acknowledge in particular your artistic contributions – as a pioneer in the development of the kura kaupapa movement, the New Zealand School of Māori Weaponry, and the acclaimed Te Roopu Manutaki Māori cultural group – of which I was a member for a time.

As you yourself said, so perfectly: ‘If you don’t dream, you’re not alive.’ Thank you Tā Pita, for dreaming with such ambition, generosity, and brilliance – and for enriching our country in the process.

I know that Neil Finn is unable to be here this evening, but it will be a pleasure to have Jemaine Clement accept Neil’s award on his behalf.

Neil’s music is indelibly etched into the New Zealand consciousness – most notably, perhaps, through his contributions to Split Enz and Crowded House. I’m sure I was not alone, however, in feeling immense pride when Neil was chosen to join Fleetwood Mac.

Neil’s music has provided the soundtrack to New Zealand life for so many years – capturing something distinctively, joyfully, lovingly ‘us’. Neil understands the profound and mysterious power of music – and has dedicated his life to harnessing that power to remarkable effect.

I think few would argue with Ed O’Brien’s estimation of Neil as popular music’s ‘most prolific writer of great songs’. He and his brother Tim have left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape.

This evening, we also recognise this year’s recipient of the Harriet Friedlander Residency: Ayesha Green. Your paintings of extraordinary vision and boldness represent a remarkable talent – already mature in its concerns and ambitious in its scope.

I hope this residency will offer you the opportunity to further deepen and expand your artistic practice, and I will look forward to following your artistic journey with great pride and interest.

I wish finally to acknowledge the Arts Foundation, and its supporters, for all that you do to nurture the arts in Aotearoa. Through your commitment and generosity, you enable our creative practitioners to work at their craft, and to share their work with the world – and, through events such as this, you recognise those artists’ outstanding achievements.

We live in increasingly uncertain times, and it is through art that we receive the profound comfort of knowing we’re not alone; a reminder of the too-often-neglected truth of how much we share.

The whakataukī says: ‘Mā te pohewa mā te auaha hoki, ka whakapuaki ngā kura e huna ana. With imagination and creativity, a hidden jewel can be revealed.’

To Tā Pita, Neil, and Ayesha – my very warmest congratulations once again. Thank you for helping us to see ourselves more clearly as a nation, and for the hidden jewels you have revealed, and continue to reveal to us all through your wonderful work.

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.

MIL OSI

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