Wellington is preparing for major disruption this Thursday, 23 October 2025, as thousands of teachers, nurses, and other public sector workers take part in what is being called the biggest strike in more than 40 years.

The “mega strike” is expected to see over 100,000 workers nationwide walk off the job, with large marches and rallies planned in the capital and across Aotearoa.

Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff said the action reflects “deep frustration with a government that is out of touch and doesn’t seem to value working people.” He added that many public sector staff feel their pay and conditions have failed to keep up with the cost of living.

Major Disruption Expected in Wellington

In Wellington, thousands are expected to gather at Queens Wharf before marching to Parliament for a rally at 1 pm. Police have confirmed traffic management will be in place around the central city from midday, with delays likely near the waterfront and along Lambton Quay.

“Members of the public may experience some delays when the protest is underway,” a police spokesperson said. Emergency services will remain on duty, but authorities are advising people to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

Schools across the Wellington region will also close as teachers join the strike. Parents are urged to check directly with their schools, though most primary and secondary classes are expected to be cancelled.

Who’s Taking Part

An estimated 36,000 nurses will strike between 11 am and 3 pm, joined by about 11,500 other healthcare workers including senior doctors, dentists, and social workers. Around 40,000 to 50,000 teachers from both primary and secondary schools will also walk off the job.

NZ Nurses Organisation member Debbie Handisides said the strike shows how serious things have become. “The coalition government is totally out of touch and refusing to listen,” she said. “It’s unsafe to work in hospitals that are constantly short-staffed. When there aren’t enough nurses, patient care is delayed and lives are at risk.”

What Nurses and Doctors Want

Nurses have been negotiating pay and staffing conditions since last year. They say current offers are below inflation and fail to fix staffing shortages.

The Public Service Commission said the latest proposal would raise top-tier nurses’ salaries by 2 percent in 2025, with another 1 percent in 2026. Under that plan, a graduate nurse on $75,773 would reach $84,150 by June 2026 — an 11 percent total increase.

Senior doctors have also rejected a 5 percent offer over 16 months, though first-year specialists were offered an 8.4 percent rise. A $40 million fund was proposed to recognise their work, but unions say it does not reflect real-world pressures.

Health NZ expects more than 900 procedures and 1,380 specialist appointments to be postponed nationwide on Thursday. Emergency departments, maternity units, and intensive care services will remain open, but hospitals warn of long waits for non-urgent care.

Teachers Demand Fair Pay

Teachers say they too are struggling to keep up with costs. The latest government offer includes a 4.7 percent rise within a year, lifting most teachers’ salaries above $100,000 within 21 months.

However, Post Primary Teachers’ Association president Chris Abercrombie said the deal falls short. “We received two offers, but both failed to meet the needs of teachers and students. In several ways, the latest was worse than the last,” he said.

Teachers have already held rolling strikes and plan further action, including stopping extracurricular activities on 29 October and another national strike on 5 November.

Government Pushback

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has called the strike “a shame,” accusing unions of “prioritising politics over patients and parents.” Health Minister Simeon Brown said health workers had “crossed an ethical line,” while Education Minister Erica Stanford criticised the timing so close to NCEA exams, which begin on 4 November.

“They are negotiating in bad faith,” Stanford said. “Students about to sit their final exams need their teachers in front of them, not on the picket line.”

A Year of Unrest

New Zealand has recorded at least 22 official work stoppages so far this year. Victoria University historian Jim McAloon said the country has not seen this level of labour unrest since the 1979 General Strike, when 300,000 workers protested government wage controls.

“The government’s message of restraint isn’t going down well,” McAloon said. “Many full-time workers are still relying on food banks. This strike shows the frustration that’s been building for years.”

Wagstaff rejected claims that unions are playing politics. “These workers have shown patience for months to get a fair offer,” he said. “It’s the government’s refusal to resource essential services properly that’s putting politics ahead of public service.”

Wellington Prepares for a Historic Day

As Wellington prepares for the 23 October strike, the city’s streets are expected to fill with thousands demanding fair pay and safer workplaces. Whether it becomes New Zealand’s biggest strike in four decades or not, its message is already loud and clear — workers want to be heard.