Thousands of MBIE workers set to strike

RNZ

21 Jul, 2026 06:13 PMQuick Read

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Most striking immigration officers earn about $70,000 a year. Photo / Mark Mitchell, NZ Herald

About 2700 workers at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment are going on strike this morning.

The Public Service Association (PSA) said negotiations were underway for more than 10,000 public servants, including staff at MBIE, the Department of Internal Affairs, Corrections, and the Ministry of Social Development.

National secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said all were currently facing pay offers well below inflation.

“The current offer includes changes to pay that mean it will take staff longer to reach higher pay bands, at the same time as the cost of living keeps rising. Public servants are being asked to accept going backwards in a cost-of-living crisis.”