Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) welcomes the release of the People's Select Committee on Pay Equity report today, saying its findings confirm what rural women have long experienced and what RWNZ warned when the Equal Pay Amendment Act was passed under urgency last year.

The Committee's report reflects the 1,500 submissions, including RWNZ’s, overwhelmingly opposing the Bill and finding that pay equity directly effects the wellbeing, survival, and sustainability of workers, and the essential services their communities rely on.

"Pay equity is not just about an individual's pay packet, it's about whether families can afford to put down roots in rural communities," says Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Rural Women New Zealand. "When women in health, education and community services are not paid enough to support their families, rural communities lose them, and everyone suffers."

RWNZ has raised concerns about the impact of the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025, which scrapped 33 active pay equity claims and introduced tougher eligibility thresholds, on rural communities where workforce shortages were already acute.

"We know from our members that rural communities were already struggling to attract and retain staff before these reforms. Pay inequity was one of many factors driving that, and the Equal Pay Amendment Act only makes it harder."

A particular concern is the requirement that workforces be at least 70% female over ten consecutive years to be eligible to bring a claim. "A small rural health clinic or ECE centre might meet the 70% threshold most years, but not every year, and that could rule them out entirely. That is not a fair or workable system."

RWNZ is asking the Government to reinstate the 33 discontinued claims, lower the female-dominance threshold, and ensure smaller rural employers are supported to participate in the pay equity process.

"This is not a new fight. Rural Women New Zealand has been advocating for rural women for over 100 years, and ensuring fair pay for the women who power our rural communities is as important today as it has ever been."

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