NZ Strikes February 2026
Read on for a summary of ER events.
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9 Feb
Nurses at Taupō Hospital have commenced a month-long protest by wearing union T-shirts instead of their standard uniforms, as part of ongoing collective bargaining with Health New Zealand. The action forms part of wider industrial activity involving nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants. The protest does not involve a full strike, and hospital services continue to operate. The nurses say the action highlights concerns regarding pay and staffing levels while negotiations remain unresolved.
10 Feb
More than 700 Ministry of Education staff are seeking to recover pay withheld by the ministry during a partial strike. NZEI Te Riu Roa has filed a challenge with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), arguing that the deductions were disproportionate to the “work-to-rule” actions taken by members. The ministry maintains that the pay deductions were lawful and consistent with advice regarding employees who do not perform their full contracted duties. The ERA is expected to rule on whether the ministry’s calculations for the withheld pay were correct later this year.
11 Feb
Air New Zealand cabin crew represented by E tū have issued a strike notice following a breakdown in negotiations over pay and rest breaks. The strike, which involves approximately 800 short-haul crew, is scheduled to take place over two days and will impact domestic and Tasman-Pacific flights. The union stated that after 12 months of bargaining, the airline’s offer fails to address the impact of inflation or provide adequate recovery time between shifts. Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer David Morgan said the airline is disappointed by the action and is working on contingency plans to minimize disruption. While the airline has offered a 4.5 percent increase in the first year, the union is seeking a higher adjustment and better fatigue management protections.
14 Feb
Career firefighters are escalating industrial action by walking off the job for one hour every Monday and Friday following a breakdown in negotiations with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) cited unresolved issues regarding health and safety, aging equipment, and staffing shortages as the drivers for the increased strike frequency. These negotiations have now been ongoing for 18 months, with the union rejecting a 6.2 percent pay offer over three years.
Fred A – this dispute has and is now endangering the public. FENZ and NZPFU need to sort this asap!!
16 Feb
The Lyttelton community is marking the anniversary of the 1951 waterfront dispute, a 151-day nationwide lockout that remains New Zealand’s largest industrial confrontation. The conflict began when port employers locked out the Waterside Workers’ Union following an overtime strike over wage increases, leading to a state of emergency and the use of the armed forces to work the docks. While the lockout eventually broke the union’s power, historians note it caused extreme financial hardship and created deep social divisions between union loyalists and those who returned to work. These tensions persist across generations, serving as a reminder of the long-term psychological and social toll of the dispute.
17 Feb
Nearly 1,000 hospital pharmacists and technicians have voted to ratify a new collective agreement with Health New Zealand following 14 months of negotiations. The settlement includes an average 5.5 percent pay increase in the first year and a further 3 percent in the second year.
Fred A – it took a while. At 5.5% and 3.0% over 2 years it would be viewed as a good deal for employees
25 Feb
Health New Zealand and the PSA have reached a proposed settlement for 10,000 allied, public health, and technical workers following nine months of negotiations. The deal includes a $5,000 flat-rate pay increase for most workers and a one-off $2,000 payment. The PSA, which is recommending the offer to members, stated that while it does not meet all initial demands, it addresses urgent cost-of-living pressures.
Fred A – a 2.5% and 2% plus a $500 lump sum over 2 yrs settled the deal. The PSA accepted the deal for now. However, it does not meet the cost-of-living escalation. We expect difficult negotiations when this deal expires.
Negotiations between NZEI Te Riu Roa and the Ministry of Education have resumed following the rejection of a second pay offer. The proposal, which included a $4,000 rise in the first year and 3 percent in the second, was turned down by teachers and principals who argued it failed to address inflation or recruitment issues. Talks have now been ongoing for more than 10 months, with the union seeking improved classroom release time and student support.
Fred A – inflation, additional teachers and student support remain the problem.
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