The Public Service Association (PSA) says it will continue its high-profile “Change the Government” election campaign despite concerns raised by the Public Service Commissioner, following what the union has described as constructive discussions over the political neutrality of the public service.
The country’s largest union, representing around 95,000 members across the public service, health, local government and community sectors, says it remains committed to advocating for political change ahead of the 2026 General Election while ensuring public servants continue to meet their legal obligations of neutrality in their professional roles.
The dispute emerged after Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche wrote to the PSA expressing concern that elements of the union’s campaign, particularly its use of the slogan “Change the Government”, could create uncertainty around the principle of political neutrality expected of public servants.
The PSA confirmed it has since met with the Commissioner and welcomed the opportunity to discuss the campaign, describing the talks as positive and constructive. However, the union says the discussions have not altered its position and it will continue campaigning throughout the election period.
The PSA argues there is a clear distinction between the political rights of a registered trade union and the obligations placed on individual public servants while carrying out their official duties.
It says its campaign is directed at influencing public policy and election outcomes on behalf of members rather than encouraging public servants to breach their statutory obligations.
The union maintains that advocating for political change is a legitimate role for democratic organisations representing workers and points to previous election campaigns where unions have taken positions on government policy without compromising the professionalism of members employed across the public service.
The PSA says its campaign focuses on issues raised repeatedly by members, including:
- Restoring pay equity.
- Rebuilding public and community services.
- Addressing the cost-of-living crisis.
- Protecting Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Investing in public healthcare.
- Improving wages and employment conditions.
The union has been highly critical of the coalition Government’s workplace agenda since the 2023 election.
It argues that decisions to reduce public sector staffing, repeal Fair Pay Agreements, alter pay equity legislation, reinstate 90-day employment trials, review health and safety laws and pursue wider public sector restructuring have weakened services and placed additional pressure on workers.
The PSA says these issues have become central to its campaign because they directly affect both its members and the communities they serve.
The union has also been active in multiple rounds of collective bargaining across government agencies, with ongoing disputes over pay offers and staffing levels at departments including MBIE and the Department of Internal Affairs.
New Zealand’s public service operates under long-standing constitutional principles requiring public servants to provide free and frank advice to governments of any political persuasion and to serve whichever party or coalition forms government following an election.
The Commissioner has emphasised the importance of maintaining public confidence in that neutrality, particularly during election campaigns.
The PSA says it agrees with those principles and has reminded members that while they may participate in democratic processes and union activities in their personal capacity, they must continue to perform their official duties impartially and professionally.
The union says there is no inconsistency between advocating for policy change as a collective organisation and maintaining political neutrality while working within the public service.
The PSA has confirmed it will continue hosting election events, candidate forums and public campaigns across the country in the lead-up to polling day.
Its campaign includes public discussions on healthcare, the cost of living, pay equity and public services, alongside resources encouraging members to participate in the democratic process.
The issue has become another flashpoint in the increasingly political relationship between the Government and organised labour, with several unions taking an active role in the election campaign while the coalition continues to defend its programme of public sector reform.
For Māori public servants, who make up a significant proportion of the government workforce, the debate also intersects with wider concerns around Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, public sector capability and the future direction of public services.
As campaigning intensifies ahead of the November General Election, the PSA says it will continue advocating for a change of government while maintaining that its members remain committed to delivering politically neutral public services to all New Zealanders.
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