Celebrating Caregivers Week

Celebrating Caregivers Week

Caregivers all around the country will celebrate Caregivers Week from 22 – 28 March. Events are being held in resthomes, community halls and parks during the week.

The woman behind the Equal Pay case, Kristine Bartlett, members of parliament and representatives from local government will be attending some of the events.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Gerontology Section recognises the enormous value caregivers bring to the care of the older person. Chair, Maryanne Taylor says, “Caregivers develop strong relationships with the residents and their families. They perform the most intimate and personal tasks for our frail and elderly with empathy and patience and they become like the eyes and ears for the registered nurse.”

“Caregiver roles are physically and emotionally exhausting with many caregivers going above and beyond what is required because they care.”

“Caregivers week is a time to celebrate caregivers and the work they do. It’s a big thank you from us!” Maryanne Taylor says.

NZNO industrial adviser for the aged care sector, David Wait says, “Caregiver Kristine Bartlett and the Service and Food Workers Union: Ngā Ringa Tota recently won an historic court case, opening the way for the Employment Court to set the principles that will determine an equal pay rate for caregivers.”

“Thanks to Kristine Bartlett and the cases taken by thousands of other under-valued and under-paid caregivers, Aotearoa New Zealand is close to achieving equal pay for men and women who do similar work.”

“We expect the entire aged care sector to benefit from the court’s decision, and eventually the entire female workforce, and that’s something great to celebrate next week!”

Key events are happening in:

Auckland
Monday 23 March, 6-9pm
Party at Lynfield Room, Flickling Centre, 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland
In attendance will be:
Green and Labour MPs
Former EEO commissioner, Judy McGregor
Grey Power representatives
Kristine Bartlett
Over 100 caregivers and union members

Wellington
A dozen different events during the week
In attendance will be:
Kristine Bartlett
Wellington mayor, Celia Wade Brown
Green, Labour and United Future MPs

Christchurch
Sunday 22 March, Midday – 3pm
Family fun day at Victoria Lake, Hagley Park, Christchurch, New Zealand
With bouncy castle, Easter egg hunt, face painting, candy floss, sausage sizzles and all for free!
Kristine Bartlett will be in attendance.

With regional events being held in:
• Dunedin
• Oamaru
• Te Puke
• Tauranga
• Whakatane
• Kawerau
• Tokoroa
• Paihia
• Dargaville
• Kamo and
• Whangarei

Ends

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