Above: Lots of red and purple at the Wellington rally at Parliament today

Kia ora member,

Wow – what a show of collective strength and passion!

The turnout today at the gatherings/rallies up and down the country today was truly amazing. It was very visible, and Aotearoa New Zealand certainly knows what your issue is now.

Well done everyone. You will have been buoyed by the overwhelming toots of support.

The media coverage has intensified today, as expected, and with that – and the increased community support – we would expect to apply more pressure for a resolution.

Further, the GP and Accident and Medical Centre national organisations have come out strongly today recognising your value and requesting Government assistance with additional funding.

The photos look great, (please keep them coming to campaigns@nzno.org.nz). We will keep adding to them and will share them as we can.

There have already been 2500 letters sent to the Minister. That’s a lot of emails in an Inbox. Please keep signing (and encouraging others to sign) the digital letter to Hon Chris Hipkins as soon as possible.

In terms of the Facebook frames available for everyone to use please keep these up and encourage others to use and share them. The posters could go up in your workplace in the meantime to keep the campaign awareness visible.

From my personal perspective, this has been the next most rewarding day to observe and participate in since we achieved the first PHC MECA in 2006, – notwithstanding it was a day we shouldn't have had to have.

Lastly, the PSA had this to say to us today:

"On behalf of PSA members working in Primary Health and other health services across our Community Public Services Sector, we express admiration to members of our sister union NZNO for your principled stand in support of fair pay in Primary Health. We join you in spirit rather than physically (due to covid precautions) at your gatherings today around the country, and add our collective voice to yours in calling for the government to take steps urgently to resolve this impasse. We share your commitment to pushing for parity with pay rates in DHBs – equal pay for work of equal value, that is worth standing up for. Solidarity, and kia kaha!"

PSA National Organiser Jayne Macfarlane

Thanks especially to all those who turned out today. We will be back in touch in the next few days.

Take care and keep safe.

Ngā mihi,

Chris Wilson