PM Christopher Luxon not meeting teachers, doctors involved in ‘mega-strike’

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon believes he does not need to meet the teachers and doctors joining this week’s so-called “mega-strike”, which he claims is “politically motivated”.

Tens of thousands of public sector workers, including dentists, social workers, physiotherapists and mental health staffers, are expected to strike on Thursday amid unresolved pay negotiations.

The Government has not responded lightly. Public Service Minister Judith Collins yesterday released an open letter claiming politically motivated unions weren’t focused on what’s best for their members and the public.

That followed Health Minister Simeon Brown accusing senior doctors of failing their ethical duties by striking and causing delays to medical procedures.

Luxon, speaking at his post-Cabinet press conference today, said the strike was “absolutely tragic”, particularly for students preparing for their exams.

He reiterated Collins’ assessment that the strike was “politically motivated” and stated he would not meet with any protesters who gathered at Parliament.

“No, I don’t need to. The negotiations, the terms and conditions, are done between the Public Service Commissioner doing the centralised bargaining and also the CEO of Health New Zealand, who are the employers, with the respective unions.

“So I just say [to] the unions, ‘Pull the strike on Thursday and get back round the table, we’re ready to go’.”

Luxon would instead be attending the funeral for former PM Jim Bolger who died last week. The funeral will be held in Paraparaumu.

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.