More than 1,300 members of the Public Service Association (PSA) employed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) will take strike action next week after voting to reject their latest pay offer, saying wage increases are failing to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
The industrial action is scheduled to take place from 11am to 1pm on Monday 13 July, affecting a workforce that delivers a wide range of essential public services, including passport processing, citizenship, births, deaths and marriages, gambling regulation, digital government services and community support programmes.
The PSA says members voted in favour of strike action after negotiations reached an impasse, with workers arguing the current pay offer does not adequately recognise inflation, increasing living costs or the value of the work they perform.
Union representatives say many public servants have experienced years of wage restraint while continuing to deliver critical frontline and back-office services during periods of increasing demand and organisational change.
The dispute comes amid wider concerns about the pressures facing the public service, including restructuring, workforce reductions and increased workloads across several government agencies. Earlier this year, the PSA criticised proposed staffing reductions at the Department of Internal Affairs, arguing they would place additional strain on remaining employees and reduce the department’s ability to deliver services.
The union says the latest strike reflects growing frustration among staff who believe their salaries are falling behind the real cost of living, making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain experienced workers.
PSA members argue that competitive pay is essential to maintaining a capable public service and ensuring New Zealanders continue receiving reliable government services.
The Department of Internal Affairs has responsibility for a broad range of functions that touch the lives of New Zealanders every day, from issuing travel documents and administering citizenship to supporting community organisations, identity services and digital government initiatives.
While the planned strike is limited to a two-hour period, it signals increasing tension in collective bargaining across the public sector as unions continue seeking wage settlements that reflect ongoing economic pressures.
The PSA says it remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement but believes industrial action has become necessary to encourage progress at the bargaining table.
The dispute also highlights the broader challenge facing employers throughout the public sector, where agencies are balancing fiscal constraints with growing expectations to retain skilled staff and maintain service delivery.
Whether further industrial action follows is likely to depend on the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the PSA and the Department of Internal Affairs in the coming weeks.
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