Economy · Party position

Women’s Rights Party on Economy

Pay equity, income support, and living wages for women

This party wants women to be paid fairly compared to men, in both government and private jobs. They want employers to publish pay data by sex and ethnicity. They support income support for mothers and carers, saying that caring work contributes to society. They also want minimum wages and benefits raised so all people, especially women, have enough money to live on as they age.

What they say they'll do

Advocate for pay equity in private and public sector jobs, with a strong onus on employers and publication of average hourly pay statistics by occupation, sex, and ethnicity
Reinstate legislative support for Fair Pay Agreements
Increase minimum wages and benefits so all people have living incomes
Continue employer KiwiSaver contributions during maternity leave
Have the state contribute to KiwiSaver funds for carers not in paid employment
Make accessible and free financial advice available to all women as needed

Who this affects

Women workers in female-dominated occupations

The party says work typically done by women is undervalued and wants policies that close the pay gap between women and men in similar roles.

Mothers and unpaid carers

The party proposes that the state contribute to KiwiSaver accounts for people who are not in paid work but are caring for children or dependants, recognising the social value of that care.

Older women

The party says older women face higher rates of financial hardship and lower KiwiSaver balances, and wants incomes, housing, and retirement savings measures improved to address this.

Women workers with pay equity claims

The party says around 150,000 women whose pay equity claims were extinguished by 2025 law changes are now in limbo and may not be able to restart their claims under the new rules.

In their own words

“An estimated 150,000 women workers whose pay equity claims have been extinguished are now in limbo. Many of these claims will not be able to restart under the new pay equity regime.”

“Minimum wages and benefits need to be increased so that all people have living incomes. In particular, women need increased incomes to promote full participation in society and dignity as we age.”

“In New Zealand, the average KiwiSaver balance for women is 25% lower than the average balance for men across all age groups.”

Verify at The New Zealand Women’s Rights Party — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from The New Zealand Women’s Rights Party’s own official policy (as at 2026-09-07) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Economy →

In depth — from Women’s Rights Party’s policy document · November 2025

Women’s incomes: pay equity, carers and retirement savings

The party would legislate for pay equity in the private sector as well as the public, reinstate support for Fair Pay Agreements, and pay income support to people raising children or caring for elders. On retirement, it targets a KiwiSaver gap it puts at 25 percent between women and men, with four specific changes — including a State contribution to the KiwiSaver of unpaid carers, and continued employer contributions through maternity leave.

KiwiSaver gap

25% lower

Pay equity claims

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Women’s Rights Party on Economy

What they say they'll do

Who this affects

In their own words

Women’s incomes: pay equity, carers and retirement savings

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