Law & Order: National Party 1, Police 0, Public -1

Government wins in long standing pay dispute with police

What happened?

Media is reporting that police have lost in their pay dispute with the Coalition Government.

Some of you might remember that the police rejected Labour’s previous offer in September, 2023, possibly looking forward to be taken care of by the self-touted ‘Party of Law and Order’ - National.

If you look at the numbers, Labour had been able to re-grow police force ranks from 1 for every 544 New Zealanders under John Key, to 1 to every 480 in 2023.

1800 additional frontline police were added over two terms of government.

For their pay offer, Labour had offered police a $4000 increase to base salaries backdated to April 3, and a 4% increase in salary from April 2025.

At the time, the Police Association received 7893 votes, with 67% of officers voting to reject the offer.

In March 2024, National made their pay offer.

It was effectively lower than the Public Service Pay adjustment from the last Government.

Officers reported feeling abandoned. It clearly took them by surprise. Associat…