Whānau Manaaki Board Chair Martin Robinson represented our association at the launch of a “Peoples’ Select Committee’ of former MPs from parties across the political spectrum, held to gather evidence about pay equity for women workers.

The move comes after the government passed changes to the law under urgency, without notice and without the chance for the normal official advice to be gathered or for the public to have a say. Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens was approached as an organisation that makes submissions on legislation that affects children and families.

Martin said it was an honour to represent our association, and to support both pay equity for women workers and due process.

Former National MP Dame Marilyn Waring gathered a group of female former MPs to hold their own 'people's select committee' on the government's changes.

The unofficial committee includes former National MPs Jackie Blue, Jo Hayes and Belinda Vernon as well as Nanaia Mahuta, Lianne Dalziel, Steve Chadwick and Lynne Pillay from Labour, Ria Bond from New Zealand First and Sue Bradford from the Greens.

Pay equity consultant Amy Ross, previously the Public Service Commission's lead on pay equity, and former Parliamentary librarian and researcher Bessie Sutherland are supporting the process.

Dame Marilyn said the first public hearing will be in Wellington in August, and there will be zoom hearings for people around the country to have their say.

Pictured above: Fleur Fitzsimmons, PSA National Secretary. Former National MP Marilyn Waring and Whānau Manaaki Board Chair Martin Robinson.