Poll Shows Pay Equity Move Could Cost Government Votes

A new survey suggests the Government’s changes to pay equity laws are unpopular and may influence the next election.

Public Response to Pay Equity Changes

A recent Horizon Research poll shows strong public opposition to the Government’s decision to cancel existing pay equity claims and weaken the Equal Pay Act. The survey, commissioned by the Public Service Association (PSA) and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU), suggests many voters could shift their support away from the Coalition.

According to the poll, around 159,860 voters who supported Coalition parties in 2023 would likely change their party vote to those opposing the pay equity law changes. If repeated at the ballot box, this swing could result in a hung parliament, with opposition parties holding 61 seats and the Coalition dropping to 59.

Key Findings

• A further 50,750 voters outside current parliamentary parties are also likely to change their votes over this issue.
• Half of all respondents agreed that the changes make it harder for women to seek fair pay.
• Nearly half believe the reforms will harm women in female-dominated jobs.
• 69 percent of people think the public should have had the opportunity to submit feedback before these changes were passed, and 40 percent strongly agreed with this view.

Reactions from Union Leaders

Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary of the PSA, said the results show that New Zealanders see the Government’s actions as unfair and undemocratic.

“The Government thought it could get away with cancelling pay equity claims for more than 180,000 women under the cover of darkness, but New Zealanders aren’t buying it,” said Fitzsimons.
“This isn’t just about one side being upset. Almost 28 percent of those opposed to the changes actually voted for Coalition parties in 2023.”

Melissa Ansell-Bridges, Secretary of NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi, said the poll confirms that the public recognises who is paying the price for the changes.

“Women have been made to carry the cost of fixing the Government’s Budget shortfall,” she said.
“The Government gambled that people care more about tax cuts for the wealthy than fair pay for women. That gamble has backfired.”

Political and Social Impact

The decision has sparked public protests and created the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity, a cross-party group of former MPs reviewing the Government’s approach.
Union leaders describe the reforms as “wage theft” and “constitutional vandalism,” saying they erase years of progress toward closing the gender pay gap.

If the voting shift predicted by the poll occurs, the next general election could see a major political shake-up.

Why Pay Equity Matters

Pay equity ensures that men and women who perform work of equal value receive equal pay, even if their roles differ across industries. Supporters of the law say it helps correct historical pay discrimination, particularly in roles where women make up most of the workforce, such as healthcare, education, and community services.

Critics of the Government’s new framework argue that it raises barriers for employees to file or continue pay equity claims, setting back years of progress toward fair pay.

The Horizon Research poll suggests the Government’s handling of pay equity reforms could significantly affect voter sentiment. With growing public concern about fairness and democratic transparency, the debate over equal pay is likely to remain central to political discussions leading up to the 2026 election.