Media Release: NZ Actors Equity
Monday March 6 2005
New Zealand performers union votes to merge with Australian union
Union members in the performance industries have voted to disestablish NZ Actors Equity and merge with their Australian
counterpart, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance.
Teresa Brown, union organiser with NZ Actors Equity was pleased with today’s outcome.
“This is the end of a very long and lengthy consultation process,” said Teresa Brown, union organiser with the National
Distribution Union/NZ Actors Equity. “It now means we can spend our time and energy on the real issue of improving the
working lives of actors and building strong local creative industries.”
“Once we meet with Australians representatives, we will have more detail about timeframes and processes regarding the
branch of they will be setting up in NZ,” said Teresa Brown.
“While we watch the international industry celebrate its achievements at the Oscars today, we can recognize this
milestone vote here in New Zealand – for NZ actors wanting to have a strong voice in the industry they are so passionate
about,” said Teresa Brown.
The vote follows a poll conducted of both union and non union performers late last year where 82% voted to open a branch
office of the Alliance in New Zealand.
Note for journalists:
Actors Equity (the New Zealand union for performers) is currently part of the National Distribution Union.
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance is the union and professional organisation which covers workers in the media, entertainment, sports and
arts industries in Australia. The Alliance will establish a New Zealand Branch with a President and an Executive elected
by and from New Zealand members. The President would represent New Zealand performers on the Alliance Executive. The
Alliance will establish an office in New Zealand and engage a full-time organiser. NZ members of the Alliance will be
entitled to all rights and responsibilities as any other member, including the ability to participate in the development
of policies that affect them and their work.
ENDS