HAU TAKI HAERE Tertiary Update No 14, 2026.

Photography by Naomi Madeiros

Unions take the Government to the High Court over Pay Equity Changes

Five Unions, including the TEU, have taken joint legal action seeking a formal declaration that the Equal Pay Amendment Act violates the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act by denying female-dominated workforces their right to freedom from discrimination. In frosty conditions, the crowd opened the day chanting "this is what feminism looks like" and "women united will never be defeated" - an energetic and hopeful display of solidarity. The argument that the changes are fundamentally inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act is being put by Rodney Harrison KC and union solicitor Peter Cranney. The hearing is set down for three days.

National Secretary Amy Ross, who has provided an affidavit testifying to the unlawfulness of the changes, sat in on the morning's evidence, including counsel's cross-examination of an MBIE official. She described it as both rewarding and frustrating. "It's rewarding to have the opportunity to put the hard questions to those who are supposed to serve us," she said. "What's frustrating is that we have to be in court to have our voices heard at all. We look forward to winning this case and getting vindication for women across Aotearoa - that what this government has done is unacceptable, and that we will remember it when we vote in November."

Advice for polytech members who have received additional tax IRD notices

A number of staff who were employed in Te Pūkenga/NZIST and were transferred into establishing polytechnics in 2025 have received advice from IRD that additional tax is due. This may be for one of two reasons:

• a 27-week pay cycle ending March 2026 means kaimahi in contrast to a usual 26-week pay cycle means kaimahi had an extra pay period, and
• IRD may be treating Te Pūkenga/NZIST and the establishing polytechnic as two separate employers, instead of a continuous employer.

IRD may write off the additional tax due. Additionally, some employers are in discussion with IRD about Te Pūkenga/NZIST and the establishing polytechnic being considered the same employer.

We urge all polytechnic employers to get in contact with IRD.

Member portal update

As of Monday 3 August, over two and a half thousand members have activated their member profile via our new membership portal.

If you are one of these members, you can now update your own details, join union networks, and check that all your information is correct. If you still have not activated your member portal please email membership@teu.ac.nz for a new activation link.

Save the date: TEU symposium on climate change and the tertiary sector

TEU's Tiakina te taiao climate action network is planning a free online one-day symposium on Friday 30 October. If you would like to be involved in the organising committee or can suggest speakers, please contact Rachel here.

The symposium will explore questions about how tertiary education and unions can respond and contribute to the climate and environmental challenges impacting Aotearoa New Zealand. We hope to see you there.

Save Science Coalition election event in Wellington

The Save Science Coalition is holding a pre-election science and research forum, bringing together candidates from political parties across the spectrum to discuss science policies and priorities ahead of the election in November.

Candidates have confirmed attendance from Labour, Green Party, ACT, and The Opportunities Party. Candidates from the National Party, NZ First, and Te Pāti Māori have also been invited.

Date: Tuesday 18 August, 12pm—1pm

Location: Government Buildings Lecture theatre 1 (GBLT1), Pipitea Campus, Victoria University of Wellington.

Register here