March 13, 2026

#national: BPW NZ Welcomes People’s Select Committee Report on Pay Equity

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 13, 2026

Business and Professional Women New Zealand (BPW NZ) has welcomed the release of a report from the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity, saying it provides an important independent assessment of recent changes to the country’s pay equity laws.

The People’s Select Committee was established by a group of former Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum after the Government passed the Equal Pay Amendment Act in 2025 under urgency. The legislation raised the threshold for bringing pay equity claims and resulted in the cancellation of dozens of active claims representing thousands of workers across Aotearoa.

The committee’s inquiry gathered submissions and evidence from a wide range of organisations, unions, advocates and workers affected by the legislative changes. Its final report concluded that the process used to pass the legislation raised significant concerns about transparency, democratic process and the protection of workers’ rights.

BPW NZ says the report confirms longstanding concerns that the law changes have made it significantly more difficult for women in female-dominated industries to pursue pay equity claims. The organisation says the findings highlight the importance of ensuring that systems designed to address gender-based pay disparities remain accessible and effective.

The report also outlines recommendations aimed at restoring a stronger pay equity framework. Among the proposals are calls for the repeal of the 2025 amendments and for previously cancelled claims to be reinstated without requiring workers to restart the process from the beginning.

The People’s Select Committee itself was formed in response to concerns that the Government’s legislative process did not include the level of consultation normally expected for such significant changes. Former MPs involved in the initiative sought to create an alternative forum where affected workers and organisations could present evidence and share their experiences.

Advocates say the report reinforces the ongoing need to address structural pay inequities in sectors where women make up the majority of the workforce. Supporters of pay equity reform argue that fairer wages are essential not only for individual workers but also for strengthening the wider economy and improving outcomes for families and communities.

BPW NZ says it hopes the report will prompt renewed discussion about the future of pay equity policy in Aotearoa and encourage lawmakers to ensure that women’s work is valued fairly across all sectors.