Thousands of New Zealand civil servants strike over pay as election nears

Nearly 10,000 public servants in New Zealand staged a multi-hour walkout on Wednesday, disrupting services at several major government agencies, including those handling employment and social housing support. The industrial action came as workers rejected wage offers they said would leave them worse off in real terms amid high living costs.

Rallies were held across the country, with several hundred workers gathering near parliament, waving union flags and chanting slogans in support of workers' rights. A union representative told the crowd that the pay offer was insufficient to offset rising living costs, saying, "We have to draw a line."

The protest drew political support from the opposition Labour Party, with former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins telling the rally, "You cannot cut your way to a better public service." Green Party lawmaker Julie Anne Genter also expressed solidarity with the workers.

The strike has pushed public-sector staffing into the election spotlight, with the centre-right government of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon having aggressively reduced the number of civil servants and promising further cuts. The government argues these reductions are necessary to balance the budget and redirect funds toward frontline roles such as police and prison officers, while unions warn that leaner agencies could erode essential services.

The walkout adds pressure on the government as it faces a weak urban economy and strained middle-income households, with a general election due in about two months.