![\"Equal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4OBCZM8_image_crop_36958.jpeg\")
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\nJackie Blue has also been the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner.
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n
Former National MP Jackie Blue is changing her political allegiances, saying the government’s handling of pay equity changes was her breaking point.<\/p>\n
She’s resigned her National Party membership and is joining the Opportunity party as a mentor to its new leader.<\/p>\n
Blue was a member of an unofficial committee of former MPs, which last week condemned the law change cancelling dozens of pay equity claims from female dominated workforces.<\/p>\n
“This is not a decision I take lightly, but I can no longer remain aligned to the National Party,” Blue said in a statement to media on Friday.<\/p>\n
“The Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025 was a hatchet job on 180,000 workers and is representative of a political system that lacks the courage and foresight New Zealand urgently needs.”<\/p>\n
She added: “I will never forget or forgive what this government has done to low-paid workers – mostly women.”<\/p>\n
She said workers were “belittled and mocked” during MPs’ debate on pay pay equity changes.<\/p>\n
“Some MPs refused to meet affected workers in their own electorates. Procedure was weaponised against the very people Parliament exists to protect.”<\/p>\n
Blue will join Opportunity to mentor new leader Qiulae Wong.<\/p>\n
She is praising Wong for having the courage to enter “the nasty business of politics”.<\/p>\n
“Opportunity is standing on a platform for transformational action and fairness – two things I have dedicated my career to progressing. That’s why I’m proud to join them and support their 2026 election campaign”.<\/p>\n
She joins former Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway, who also advises Wong in his capacity as the party’s general manager.<\/p>\n
Blue is the former Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner.<\/p>\n