December 17, 2025

Maritime Union of New Zealand

Representing New Zealand maritime workers since 2002

employment relations

Free trade deal biggest threat to workers since Employment Contracts Act

The Maritime Union says the free trade deal with China is the biggest threat to workers in New Zealand since the introduction of the Employment Contracts Act in 1991.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the importation of short-term, casualized skilled labour being paid the minimum wage will be a disaster.

“This is obviously going to have a major and negative effect on wages and conditions in New Zealand.”

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Maritime Union steps up support of locked out Progressive workers

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has boosted its support of locked out distribution workers at Progressive Enterprises with union members to contribute one hours wages per week until the dispute is settled.

Maritime Union Acting General Secretary Terry Ryan says the resolution was passed unanimously on a national conference call of all ports today.

“The Maritime Union is 100% committed to supporting the locked out workers at Progressive using all financial, industrial and political methods open to us.”

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Maritime Union backs Progressive workers battle

The Maritime Union is supporting locked out members of the National Distribution Union at Progressive Enterprises sites in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union has committed itself to financial, practical and moral support for the workers and their pickets.

He says the situation is a serious one because it showed how multinational corporates in New Zealand are determined to create a low-wage economy.

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Maritime Union supports hunger strike by Ukrainian crew

The Maritime Union says a hunger strike by striking Ukrainian crew members in Lyttelton is a “symptom of the disease of exploitation in the fishing industry.”

Four crew members of the eight crew remaining aboard the fishing vessel “Malakhov Kurgan” are locking themselves in a cabin and are going on an indefinite hunger strike.

They are protesting about not being paid the wages that are owed to them under New Zealand law.

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You try living on youth rates or the minimum wage

The uprising amongst New Zealand youth against low pay and insecure jobs is being backed by the Maritime Union.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says all workers should support young people who are taking part in campaign activities, including industrial action at fast food outlets and the recent street rallies and concerts.

“What we are seeing is the inevitable reaction from working class young people who have become a low-wage generation.”

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Unions get result for Indonesian crew

The Maritime Union of New Zealand and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have obtained backpay for a group of Indonesian fishermen who jumped ship last week.

The nine Indonesian crew members left the fishing trawler Marinui in Dunedin on Friday 10 March.

The crew members were sent to Christchurch where they were interviewed by Maritime Union officials, and then travelled to Auckland International Airport today where they were met by union officials representing the ITF.

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Maritime Union says it’s time to connect the dots on Flag of Convenience fishing

The Maritime Union has welcomed New Zealand signing up to an international crackdown on illegal fishing – which also provides a clear opportunity to solve the abuse and exploitation of maritime workers.

Fisheries ministers from Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Namibia and New Zealand have agreed to a plan which will mean global tracking of fishing vessels, as well as an online database of their names, location and history, to help uncover illegal fishing.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the plan means that “half of the problem” is being seriously addressed.

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