November 15, 2025

Maritime Union of New Zealand

Representing New Zealand maritime workers since 2002

Temporary workers plan a recipe for disaster

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has attacked plans by employers to bring in migrant labour into the seafood industry after mass layoffs in the same sector.

A week after Sealord confirmed it would axe 323 jobs from its Nelson mussel factory, two South Island seafood companies Talleys and Aotearoa Seafood have applied to import 100 migrant labourers.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says that the use of temporary labour being imported from overseas threatens local employment.

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Maritime Union backs public ownership plan for rail and ferries

The Maritime Union says Government plans to bring rail and ferries back under public ownership would be a major step forward for New Zealand.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the move is long overdue and is required to bring New Zealand’s transport infrastructure up to world standards.

“We need an integrated transport system in New Zealand that has a substantial public-owned component for security and stability.”

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Shipping plan gets thumbs up

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says the release today of the final domestic shipping strategy “Sea Change” is a positive move for New Zealand shipping.

Maritime Union Vice President Garry Parsloe says the Government’s plans for coastal shipping are moving in the right direction.

He says $36 million of funding for developing coastal shipping over the next four years was a major boost.

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Rail buyback on the right track

The Maritime Union says the buyback of rail and ferries is a good step towards rebuilding a top quality transport system in New Zealand.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the move is positive for New Zealand, and should have been done a long time ago.

“The only regret is that we have now had a generation where this vital part of our infrastructure has been first asset stripped then unsuccessfully operated by global corporations interested in shareholder profit, not for what is good for New Zealand.”

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Maritime Union supports major port stoppages in USA and Iraq against war

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has congratulated maritime workers in USA and in Iraq for work stoppages on May Day (1 May) against the Iraq War.

More than 25,000 longshore workers at 29 west coast ports in the USA called an end to the war in Iraq on May 1 by staying at home. The workers were members of the ILWU, the waterfront union on the west coast of the USA, which has strong links to the Maritime Union of New Zealand.

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Maritime Union welcomes release of 1951 lockout papers

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has welcomed the release of secret SIS papers on the 1951 waterfront lockout to Archives New Zealand.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the 1951 waterfront lockout was the most significant industrial event in living memory in New Zealand.

He says the Maritime Union still counts veterans of the 1951 dispute amongst its retired members.

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Secure jobs safe after Port of Napier resolution

Maritime workers are celebrating tonight after a successful resolution of the Port of Napier dispute in mediation this afternoon.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the week long dispute had been about secure local jobs being preserved at the port.

“We wanted shipping companies to be able to use stevedores where secure local jobs could be achieved. Shipping companies wanted a solution, we supplied one, and the port is back in action as of now.”

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Global solidarity actions shut down Port of Napier

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has claimed a major victory in its battle to save secure local jobs at the Port of Napier.

The container vessel Canberra Express left the Port of Napier last night (Wednesday 19 December) at approximately 11pm with no cargo discharged after sitting idle at the port.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says this is a major development in the dispute and a victory for local workers.

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