New Zealand's upcoming pay gap calculation tool expected 'in coming weeks,' says minister
More than three in four organisations in New Zealand that have reported their pay gaps have been successful in closing them, according to the organization Mind the Gap
Data from its Pay Gap Registry show that pay gap reporting is successful in closing gaps in 79% of organisations that have reported year-on-year.
In New Zealand, analysis of local statistics, using Pākehā men as the comparator, revealed that pay gaps continue to "remain substantial":
- Pākehā women - 8.1%
- Māori women - 19.0%
- Pasifika women - 20.9%
- Asian women - 18.2%
- MELAA women - 12.1%
- Other ethnicity women - 16.3%
Based on these percentages, both Māori and Pacific women have effectively started working for free from October 21 through the remainder of 2024, according to Mind the Gap.
‘We cannot be complacent’
Overall, New Zealand's current gender pay gap is at 8.2%, according to the latest data from Stats NZ. Even in the public service, where the pay gap is at its lowest ever, there is still a 6.1% difference in pay based on gender.
"Across New Zealand, the pay gap is trending downwards but while this is a wonderful achievement, we cannot be complacent," said Minister for Women Nicola Grigg in a statement.
According to Grigg, closing the gender pay gap requires "continuous efforts across the public and private sector."
"This can be achieved by supporting women into leadership, lifting incomes, and providing businesses with the tools to calculate, understand and address their gender pay gaps," she added.
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Pay gap calculator underway
Grigg also said that an announcement about New Zealand's upcoming pay gap calculation tool will be coming "in the coming weeks."
"We know that gender pay gaps are complex, nuanced - and stubborn - which is why bringing sunlight to the issue is essential to creating meaningful and sustainable change," the minister said. "Women deserve to be paid fairly and to be supported to succeed, and we are doing everything we can to ensure this happens."
The minister made the remarks as the country marked the 52nd anniversary of the Equal Pay Act on Sunday.