E tū

18/09/2026

A fantastic launch of our election campaign in Auckland last night! Although we've been focused on the election all year (especially making sure all E tū members are enrolled to vote), now the rubber really meets the road. We were joined by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins, Greens Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick, and other MPs who heard our members talking exactly about what is at stake for them this election, and renewed their commitments to working with our union for real change. It was an honour to have Chris Hipkins announce Labour's health and safety policy, undoing the current Government's dangerous changes and introducing a corporate homicide change to hold negligent employers to account. Check out www.etu.nz/vote26 for more info about our election campaign, including some handy downloadable flyers that explore some of our top political issues.

15/09/2026

PACT Packaging on strike! Huge support from the local community blasting their horns to join the chorus calling on the company to improve their ridiculous 66c offer. The striking workers were also supported by local politicians Ginny Andersen MP and Deputy Mayor Keri Brown - good on them for standing up for the kaupapa!

14/09/2026

Is this the worst policy of the election campaign so far? Under ACT's guidance, the National-led Government has delivered minimum wage increases below inflation this term, meaning that minimum wage workers effectively get a pay cut while costs skyrocket. Not content with that, ACT wants to completely freeze the minimum wage for three years, and make it legal to pay people under 20 years old even less than that. When the gap between the minimum wage and the Living Wage is bigger than it has ever been, this move would lock in poverty pay for years longer.

Yet another reminder of the importance of voting out the most anti-worker Government we have had for decades. Make sure your enrollment details are up to date - we need every vote to count!

The party says wages can sustainably rise when workers become more productive and businesses can afford to pay more.

13/09/2026

Our members at PACT Packing in Lower Hutt are taking action, telling the boss that a 66c offer during a cost of living crisis just won't cut it! Come down to our picket to show PACT that our community will fight together for fairness.

11/09/2026

A great turnout last night in Māngere for our Safe Airport, Living Wage table talk. Around 70 union members, airport cleaners, and community supporters came together to talk about fair pay, safe working conditions, and the need for a Living Wage across our aviation sector. When workers and the community sit down together and organise, we build the power needed to win real change on the ground.

08/09/2026

240 more people are now correctly enrolled to vote after an excellent meeting at Fisher and Paykel! Most are new enrollments, with young people and newer migrants enrolling for the first time. There were also people who needed to update their details - and that is one of the most important messages we need to get out there - the rules have changed, you must update your enrolment details by 25 October, before the early voting period begins. Don't wait. Check your enrolment today at www.vote.nz to make sure your vote will count!

03/09/2026

Two powerful days of connection and learning at the 2026 E tū Youth Network Conference. Young workers came together from across the country to discuss workers rights, union history, and build our plan for the future. Huge congratulations to our newly elected Youth Network Convenor Angeline Prasad and Deputy Convenor Cal Rippin, and a big thank you to outgoing convenor Rangimarie for her dedication over the past two years. Strong leadership and great energy from everyone who took part!

03/09/2026

A brilliant Living Wage Election Forum in the Hutt Valley last night! E tū showed up in force and our members shared their stories about the difference the Living Wage would make in their lives, letting the politicians know exactly what is at stake for our communities. Full commitments to the Living Wage asks from Labour Leader Chris Hipkins and Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson - tick tick! Jessica Hammond from Opportunity Party also agreed to four of the five asks, though didn't commit to prioritising the Living Wage in coalition discussions. With no-shows from the three parties in the current Government, it's clear what we have to do this election to lift wages - vote them out!

02/09/2026

Methanex has confirmed it will shut down its Taranaki methanol operations in early 2027, putting hundreds of jobs on the line. These are skilled, well-paid jobs that have anchored families and the wider community for decades. Losing them will hurt.

The Government cannot stand aside and leave workers to carry the cost of economic change. A Just Transition has to mean the Government working alongside unions, iwi, industry, and the community, moving people out of good work that is ending and into new, good work.

This is exactly why scrapping Ara Ake, Taranaki's energy innovation centre, was such a mistake. At the moment the region most needs help to build its industrial future, the Government pulled apart one of the few organisations set up to do that job.

Methanex workers deserve more than sympathy. They deserve a Government that will fight for their futures.

Methanex will shut down its Taranaki methanol operations in early 2027, putting hundreds of jobs on the line, after the company confirmed today it will sell off its New Zealand gas supply and idle its plant at Motunui. The Canadian-owned company told workers it will stop production in the first quar...

01/09/2026

The new Living Wage rate, $29.90, comes in from today! If you've won the Living Wage at your workplace, be sure to check your payslip to ensure you're getting the new rate. Tomorrow night in Lower Hutt, E tū will take part in the Living Wage Election Forum, calling on politicians to keep this kaupapa alive in the next term. More info here: https://www.livingwage.org.nz/living_wage_national_election_forum_2026