First rat to leave the ship – Brooke van Velden quits ACT
Brooke van Velden’s exit from ACT raises questions over pay equity reforms, polling decline, and internal political pressure ahead of Election 2026.

Brooke van Velden’s exit from ACT raises questions over pay equity reforms, polling decline, and internal political pressure ahead of Election 2026.

Former National MP Jackie Blue has joined Opportunity after resigning from the National Party, citing the Government’s handling of the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025.

Labour introduces a Pay Transparency Bill requiring large employers to report gender and ethnic pay gaps ahead of Election 2026.

Thousands of nurses are leaving NZ — TOP says it’s time for real action on pay and working conditions.
It’s been touted as the most “historic pay rise” in history. But the actual mechanics of the deal; the “fine print”; and other undisclosed facts may raise questions as how much of a “historic pay rise” the deal actually is.
A ground-breaking tripartite recommendation establishing the principles of pay equity in New Zealand should be accepted by the Government any day now.