Representing New Zealand maritime workers since 2002
On 12 November 1921 was ‘Black Tuesday’, when Waihi miner Fred Evans was killed while on strike with 1,500 of his workmates.
The Waihi Miners’ Strike was a pivotal point in Aotearoa New Zealand’s industrial relations history and every year we remember Fred and the significant impact of the strike.
Find out more about the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
Read MoreA weekend of events was held in Lyttelton on 12-14 November 2021, marking the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Waterfront Lockout.
Read MoreA memorial service will be held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the collier MV Kaitawa off Cape Reinga on 23 May 1966 with the loss of all 29 crew members, one of New Zealand’s worst maritime disasters.
Read MoreOn 13 February 1951, New Zealand’s most significant industrial dispute began. For 151 days the most advanced sections of the New Zealand working class led by the watersiders fought a tough battle against employers and the State. The following documentary from 2001 is essential viewing of this landmark in New Zealand working class history.
Read MorePaul Robeson is a name that would be known to most trade unionists of the older generation, and to many younger ones well versed in labour and trade union history.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read More“Betrayed: the story of Canadian Merchant Seamen” is a hardhitting new Canadian documentary on the struggle of Canadian merchant seamen against the Canadian Government and ship owners which led to an international strike in 1949.
Maritime workers in New Zealand lent their support to the Canadian seamen who fought a desperate battle to protect their jobs and conditions.
Documentary maker Elaine Brière is promoting “Betrayed” in New Zealand with two screenings in Auckland and Wellington, hosted by the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
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