Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
The New Zealand First leader says if unions had come to him sooner, he could have changed the law removing the right for contractors to challenge their employment status.
Winston Peters says he asked the unions why they didn’t come to New Zealand First earlier, and why they spent their time with parties who “couldn’t stop it.”
“We can’t stop it now, because you’ve got to stop it months ago.”
The Employment Relations Amendment Bill passed its third reading earlier this week.
Employment Relations Minister Brooke van Velden declared it a “great day for New Zealand’s labour market”, but Labour said it was “very sad” and the Greens opted for the “dark day” descriptor.
The law change comes just a few months after the Supreme Court threw out Uber’s appeal against treating drivers as employees in November 2025.
Van Velden, who spoke first during the third reading, said the bill provided greater certainty for contracting parties.
Peters said on Thursday he had “no doubt” he would have been able to stop the law if unions had approached him earlier.
His message to the unions was to “stop being so political”.
“If you care about workers, act in their interests and not in your political interests.
“But you don’t alert someone within 24 hours after these things have been going for months what your concerns are.”
The Greens employment relations spokesperson Teanau Tuiono said it was a load of rubbish.
Tuiono said New Zealand First doesn’t “give a damn” about workers. During the committee stage where the legislation is considered and changes can be proposed, Tuiono said New Zealand First put no amendment papers forward.
“There was no pushback from them at all against this terrible, horrendous bill.”
Tuiono said there were many opportunities for New Zealand First to voice their opposition, or done something to make the bill better.
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