BPW NZ - Media Release - Pay Equity.

6 May 2025 | For Immediate Release

Government’s pay equity move a step back for women.

The New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW NZ) is deeply concerned by the Government’s announcement on pay equity.

“The Government’s decision to halt current pay equity claims and introduce changes that will make it more difficult to lodge new ones is detrimental to women,” says President Janet Gibb.

“Pay equity claims have delivered transformative outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand - to stop now in these critical economic times is deeply concerning. 

“The Government has now made it harder to access economic justice for women, given that the current pay equity claim process is already lengthy and complex.

“This move is a step backwards for gender equality in the workplace and risks entrenching inequality at a time when we should be accelerating progress.

“The economic empowerment of women is great for business and in these tough economic times, vital.

“We want to see the Government empowering women by breaking down barriers to fair pay, not building new ones,” said BPW NZ President Janet Gibb.

ENDS

For more information or to schedule an interview please contact president@bpwnz.org.nz

More about BPW NZ

Established in 1939, the Federation of Business and Professional Women is an all-volunteer, apolitical organisation, with clubs and members throughout Aotearoa. Members come from all backgrounds, including women that have left the paid workforce.

​BPW NZ is an affiliate of BPW International, one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with affiliates over 100 countries around the world.​ BPW International has General Consultative Status at the United Nations through the UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC). This enables BPW International to appoint official representatives to UN agencies worldwide and to accredit members to attend specific UN meetings.

Janet Gibb

President

BPW NZ