Hon Tracey Martin
Minister for Children
MEDIA STATEMENT
25 September, 2018
Cabinet has agreed to fund a pay equity settlement for Oranga Tamariki social workers, Minister for Children Tracey
Martin announced today.
The Minister said that an agreement in principle has been reached between Oranga Tamariki and the PSA on a settlement
worth $114.6m over five years.
“I want to acknowledge the efforts of both the Oranga Tamariki and the PSA, who have worked together in good faith to
examine the claim and reach agreement.
“This is another demonstration of this Government’s commitment to pay equity for all women in New Zealand. Just a week
after we celebrated 125 years of women's suffrage, this decision recognises a historic gender-based undervaluation of
Oranga Tamariki social workers, who perform vital work in keeping children and families safe.”
The pay equity settlement applies to more than 1300 Oranga Tamariki social workers and will see an average lift in their
salaries of 30.6% over a two year period.
Oranga Tamariki and PSA will jointly present the settlement to those in scope of the claim, at a series of meetings
around New Zealand over the two weeks from October 8.
Oranga Tamariki social workers, who are PSA members, will then vote on whether to accept it.
Ends