HAU TAKI HAERE Tertiary Update No 11, 2026.
28 June 2026
A conversation series on pay equity
TEU, with support from the PSA, are running three public conversations on pay equity in July and August which all members in or near Auckland, Christchurch or Invercargill are encouraged to attend.
The Equity Election conversation series brings together powerful voices to unpack the reality of pay equity in Aotearoa – and to build the momentum we need to win it.
This is a space to connect the dots between lived experience, research, and action – and to turn that knowledge into collective power.
Across the series, you’ll hear from:
- A TEU member grounding us in some of the analysis and evidence
- A representative from the People’s Select Committee breaking down legislative changes and their impact
- A student voice on what this means for the next generation
- A community perspective reflecting the real-world stakes of pay equity
Each session will be a dynamic panel discussion, facilitated by TEU National Secretary Amy Ross, followed by an interactive Q&A.
We’ll then move from conversation to action – equipping you with practical lobbying tools and clear asks to take to the politicians who are asking for your vote.
All you need to do is ask
Recruiting new members at work is something that a lot of us get nervous about – what if they say no?! No one likes rejection.
Ti Lamusse, Co-President Te Tiriti of TEU, spent half a day at his worksite at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington a couple of weeks ago asking new members to join TEU. Here’s Ti’s reflections on what worked.
“The main takeaway for me was that most of the people I spoke to had never been asked outright, do you want to join our union? Tons of them thought they had joined because they signed the MBIE form, not understanding that’s a form just to say send me more information.
It can be a scary question to ask. I get that. To set myself up, I mapped out in advance the areas I knew would be ripe for recruitment. If you don’t know your worksite well enough to know this, work with your branch leaders to figure it out. Mapping in advance is key to success.”
I also took someone with me. It’s more fun doing it with your workmate — you feel supported.”
“I definitely felt nervous asking people, but I just bit the bullet. The worst thing they can say is no. And actually only one person did! It honestly was as simple as mapping and asking. And it was immensely satisfying to recruit new keen members.”
Ti managed to recruit 14 members that day and says no chocolate was involved.
Update on polytechnic bargaining
The polytechnic bargaining team have now had two meetings with the employers and TEU polytechnic members are currently running stop work meetings across the country.
Steve McCabe, a lecturer at Manukau Institute of Technology and bargaining team member says that their stop work meetings have been very important for helping members to understand the importance of the MECA.
"Our members really get it. They understand why we’re so passionate about securing our MECA. This isn’t some abstract legal distinction; it’s a huge deal with big implications for our future working conditions.
"Our collective agreement has minimum conditions for any TEU member across the country and some special conditions where they have been negotiated by particular branch members. We don't want to see employers divide us to get a deal out of us – we are here to negotiate.
"I encourage all polytechnic members to come to your stopwork hui, ask all the questions you need to ask, listen to your branch leaders and organisers, and understand exactly why we need to mobilise ourselves and stand together."
Reminder to join the submission writing party!
Next week Co-President Ti Lamusse is hosting a submission writing session on the unnecessary and divisive Definition of Woman (and Man) Amendment Bill.
This is an opportunity to discuss the bill, have your questions answered and then take some time to write your own submission.
If you aren’t able to join this submission writing party, you can write your own submission, you can use the following piece as a guide (read more here).
Get your Queer | Te Kahukura tee!
We now have queer TEU tees (and a tote bag) available to order on our shop. Whether you identify as queer or want to show you’re an ally – these tees are fit for you!
Sign the open letter to oppose the regressive Health and Safety Bill
Have you signed the open letter to show your concern about the Health and Safety Bill? If not, you can do that here. This Bill is a threat to working people in Aotearoa. Even ACC advised it will lead to more harm at work.
We are gathering on Parliament tomorrow at 1pm to place 75 pairs of shoes down on the ground – to represent the number of work-related suicides in 2025.
Shortchanged – the pay equity investigation
A new podcast described as part investigative journalism, part true-crime parody and one hundred per cent about the fight for pay equity in New Zealand, launched on 30 June.
Project Gender have teamed up with comedian Tom Sainsbury and actor Neill Rea to uncover the history behind one of the country’s biggest fights for fairness. You'll hear interviews with workers, economists, activists, legal experts, union leaders, academics, politicians and our own National Secretary, Amy Ross.