Catholic voices at forum speak out for low-paid workers

By CathNews New Zealand

September 11th, 2026

Fr Jeff Drane SM (right) with Labour Pary leader Chris Hipkins (Archdiocese of Wellington/Facebook)

Catholic communities were well represented at a Living Wage National Election Forum at which politicians were challenged to extend the living wage in the state sector.

An estimated 515 people from faith, union and community organisations attended the forum at Naenae College in Wellington on September 3.

There were moving stories of people living on incomes below the living wage and the impact on their lives – the ability to feed and spend time with their family and to enjoy the simple things in life that most people take for granted.

Msgr Gerard Burns, vicar general of Wellington Archdiocese, spoke on behalf of the faith communities. He amplified the voices of cleaners, caretakers, caterers and other workers who do essential work in schools, hospitals and other workplaces. Connecting Catholic Social Teaching principles of human dignity and the common good to this justice issue resonated powerfully with the audience.

Politicians responded, and Fr Jeff Drane SM invited a “yes” or “no” answer to specific commitments to extend the reach of the living wage if they are elected to government.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson and Jessica Hammond, third on The Opportunity Party list, committed on behalf of their parties to several measures, including extending the living wage to 9000-11,000 school workers, including contracted and directly employed cleaners, caretakers, canteen staff and grounds staff, as well as extending the living wage to more than 1500 hospital workers, including catering workers, orderlies and cleaners.

The politicians also committed to retaining the living wage for more than 5500 cleaners, security guards and catering workers contracted to government departments, and ensuring the living wage for more than 1500 directly employed government department workers, including frontline Oranga Tamariki workers in youth facilities.

On September 1, the living wage hourly rate rose to $29.90. There is an almost $6 gap between the minimum wage and the living wage.

FULL STORY

Living Wage Forum Catholic communities (Archdiocese of Wellington/Facebook)

Living Wage Forum calls for state sector response (Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand/Facebook)