Labour promises pay equity revival in first 100 days of government

New Zealand's Labour Party has pledged to reinstate the old pay equity scheme within its first 100 days of government, announcing the plan alongside its fiscal strategy. The party has costed this specific settlement at $2.5 billion over four years. Labour leader Chris Hipkins stated the party would maintain the coalition's spending allowances, return the books to surplus by 2028/29, and reduce net debt below 20 percent of GDP. The plan includes an immediate $4 per hour pay rise for care and support workers from January 1, 2027, benefiting full-time workers by $8,320 annually. The announcement comes ahead of the first televised leaders' debate between Hipkins and National's Christopher Luxon. Labour did not include explicit costings for other pay equity settlements, leaving about $8.5 billion unaccounted for, arguing that pre-announcing amounts would undermine the negotiation process.