Submission: Budget Policy Statement 2026

Good Shepherd New Zealand recently submitted on the Government’s Budget Policy Statement 2026.

Ahead of the delivery of Budget 2026 in May, the government opened submissions on its funding approach and priorities for the coming year. Should Budget 2026 seek further reprioritisation of funding from initiatives that focus on socio-economic outcomes, we remain concerned about the significant and on-going harm that could be caused.

Budget 2025 has not delivered outcomes for those most in need, and removed funding from important interventions. These savings were achieved through cuts to initiatives that directly impact New Zealanders already facing disadvantage, particularly the changes to the pay equity scheme and tightening of Jobseeker benefits.

Austerity in times of economic stress might provide immediate debt relief but it comes at a cost both in the present and for future generations. 

Submission: People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity 

Good Shepherd New Zealand recently made a submission on changes to the pay equity claims process.

Because the equal pay Bill was passed under urgency, there was no opportunity for public consultation. The People’s Select Committee has been established so the voices of the people of Aotearoa can be heard. 

We see the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025 as a dismissal of the need for action on gender inequity. Equal pay for work of equal value is a fundamental human right and contributes strongly to overall and future financial wellbeing. Yet our gender pay gap is proof that there is an on-going social and financial impact of traditional gendered norms within the workforce. Certain occupations and industries continue to be female dominated, with poorer pay conditions and significant undervaluation. Many of these jobs require similar skills, education, or responsibilities as male-dominated jobs, yet receive lower pay.   

The pay equity claims process is a rare example of the Government directly intervening to address gender based financial inequity, rather than relying on the market to “right itself” or focusing on policies/changes that prioritise measuring the scale of inequity. There needs to be accessible pathways to rebalance occupational segregation, vertically and horizontally, and the associated differences in pay that come with this. 

Submission: Review of legal aid regime

Good Shepherd New Zealand recently submitted on proposed changes to the legal aid regime.

We are strongly supportive of changes that expand the legal aid system and ensure more people can access justice. However, while we understand the need to focus on financial sustainability for the scheme to continue in its current form, we are concerned that given the current fiscal environment, cost-saving may be prioritised over access to justice.

In our services, we see people who struggle to access justice, particularly in our family violence economic harm service. Any changes to the system should be focused on reducing process inefficiencies and incentivising more lawyers to be part of the legal aid system, not adding additional financial burdens on users of legal aid.

Limiting the availability of legal aid will seriously impact those already at the margins, and women and children experiencing violence.