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The directive, which essentially means those in the public sector earning more than $60,000 will only get a pay rise in exceptional circumstances for the next three years, has infuriated some workers. It has prompted crisis meetings between the government and unions, and a commitment to review the … View moreThe directive, which essentially means those in the public sector earning more than $60,000 will only get a pay rise in exceptional circumstances for the next three years, has infuriated some workers. It has prompted crisis meetings between the government and unions, and a commitment to review the directive next year. The government denies it is a 'freeze', saying people can still move between pay bands and it is about equity, raising the wages of workers making $50,000 or less – that is 25 per cent of public servants.
Some public sector leadership salaries:
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Matt Whineray, CEO NZ Super Fund: $929,000 (after Covid-19 reduction)
Scott Pickering, CEO ACC: $826,000
Ailsa Claire, CEO ADHB: $677,000
John Ryan, Auditor General: $670,000
Peter Hughes, Public Service Commissioner: $630,000
Rob Everett, CEO Financial Services Authority (just resigned): $623,000
Cherly de la Rey, VC University of Canterbury: $594,000
Tim Fowler, CEO Tertiary Education Commission: $560,000
Judge Peter Boshier, Chief Ombudsman: $456,000
Sid Miller, CEO Earthquake Commission: $437,000
A lower public sector staff salary:
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Jane Doe, administrator Dept of Corrections: $45,000
University of Otago Department of Accountancy and Finance associate professor Dr Helen Roberts put those remuneration packages into perspective. "I just looked at the data that's out on the public sector websites, you can go and look yourself. I looked at the top five paid individuals in the state sector who were full term," she said.
"The top five earn $3.882 million between them. If we break that down, we're talking on average, those five individuals took home $776,400 each before tax last year. "And if I think about minimum wage, that person is taking home under $40,000 a year and at the new minimum wage which just came into effect, that's $41,600.
"If we look at NZ stats, we're still talking about people earning around on average $67,000 or a median of $56,000. So there's a big difference..."If you just want to pay [chief executives] based on what the consultant tells you, what a person in that position on average is getting paid in that sector, then that's what the Labour Act will do. "It will tell you the minimum criteria that an employer needs to make. "I would argue that your baseline employees are worth a lot more than that, and those top-end employees would do just as good a job, but for less money, because they appreciate what they're doing and they have skills and value that they want to add to the organisation, that has more value than just the dollar pay cheque they take home." There did have to be some incentive to take such leadership positions, but the question was what was acceptable, Roberts said. "Does it need to be more than half a million dollars a year? Where's the cut-off? Where's an acceptable reward for the amount of responsibility and the skills you need to do these jobs? "They are highly skilled jobs. At the same time, you still need your face to face, customer engagement with those people who are working on the ground level. "I think often what happens here is compensation consultants are used to help direct the board around how these pay levels should be set and the comparison is to look at someone who's working in the private sector. "So someone who's in a publicly listed company, employed privately. What do they get paid, and then that becomes a benchmark for our state services sector. "But of course there's a big difference in those roles because of the risk involved. "In the state sector you're getting money from the government, you're not facing the risk of bankruptcy or changes in markets or changes in demand. "You're not going to have to make a whole lot of people redundant tomorrow, so it's a very different role that you play in the state sector as opposed to a private sector individual. "So we can't directly compare those pay levels, and I think that's where we're seeing these very high state sector pay levels coming from. "We have to incentivise those individuals so that they manage those risks and the best interests of the stakeholders that they represent. However, there are still flaws in the way the pay setting process currently works in New Zealand, and in a lot of Western countries, and that is because most of these pay packets are on fixed base level. "So when we look at the highest paid individuals, more than half of that money is paid to them in a fixed contract. It's a salary. Then there's a small amount, maybe another $100,000, $200,000 that comes with their performance incentives, but most of it is fixed. "So there is no incentive to do more than you have to… but you're going to take away $500,000 regardless." A bigger percentage of public sector leaders' pay packages should be performance-based, she said. "There should be more linked to performance and less fixed pay, and if you perform well, you meet the objectives of the organisation and the criteria set out in your contract, then you should be rewarded for that achievement." 'Most of us would be happy winning Lotto once'
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Fabulous effort and mouth-watering results from our Diploma, Level 5 cookery students cook this week.
1. Duck breast Sauce Bigarade with turned vegetables and pommes maxime.
2. Share platter: Home made Charcuterie salami & bresaola, sour dough bread, pickles and spread
3. Chicken Ballotine … View moreFabulous effort and mouth-watering results from our Diploma, Level 5 cookery students cook this week.
1. Duck breast Sauce Bigarade with turned vegetables and pommes maxime.
2. Share platter: Home made Charcuterie salami & bresaola, sour dough bread, pickles and spread
3. Chicken Ballotine with pancetta, pommes rissolées, cabbage rolls and Sauce Ravigote.
Join our webinar tomorrow at 7pm to find out about Auckland Council’s kauri dieback monitoring programme.
Check out our event listing for more details and to hear our panel of experts discuss how the data we collect from kauri will inform how we manage the disease in the future.
Speakers:
- … View moreJoin our webinar tomorrow at 7pm to find out about Auckland Council’s kauri dieback monitoring programme.
Check out our event listing for more details and to hear our panel of experts discuss how the data we collect from kauri will inform how we manage the disease in the future.
Speakers:
- Lisa Tolich, Kauri Dieback Manager, Environmental Services, Auckland Council
- Dr Karyn Froud, Biosecurity Scientist and Epidemiologist at Biosecurity Research.
Moderator: Prof. Margaret Stanley, Associate Professor in Ecology with the Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland.
The presentation will be followed by a brief Q&A session, and the full webinar will be available to view after the session.
As parents and educators, we know that a heavy workload and commitments can be stressful, so taking breaks is an essential part of learning. At NumberWorks’nWords, we ensure that breaks are scheduled into each students’ session.
Check out the full blog to explore the benefits of taking … View moreAs parents and educators, we know that a heavy workload and commitments can be stressful, so taking breaks is an essential part of learning. At NumberWorks’nWords, we ensure that breaks are scheduled into each students’ session.
Check out the full blog to explore the benefits of taking breaks for learning and focus!
New Zealand Post have published a warning to customers after several variations of a scam email were reported over the past 24 hours.
The email asks to correct personal details because of a failed parcel delivery.
The email directs the recipient to 'schedule a new delivery'. If any… View moreNew Zealand Post have published a warning to customers after several variations of a scam email were reported over the past 24 hours.
The email asks to correct personal details because of a failed parcel delivery.
The email directs the recipient to 'schedule a new delivery'. If any individual has received these emails, NZ Post has advised to delete it immediately.
In a statement sent to Neighbourly, NZ Post confirmed that it had taken 24 websites offline in relation to the scam.
For more information on the scam, please see the NZ Post's Cyber Security Alerts page.
Want to hit the road and seeking inspiration to go somewhere new in the central North Island? Help is just a click away!
We’ve done the hard work for you creating over 60 fantastic breaks you can use to plan that quick weekend away, a short break, or take that long-awaited roadie.
We give … View moreWant to hit the road and seeking inspiration to go somewhere new in the central North Island? Help is just a click away!
We’ve done the hard work for you creating over 60 fantastic breaks you can use to plan that quick weekend away, a short break, or take that long-awaited roadie.
We give you the ideas – you just choose when and where, and pack the car. Time to get planning!
Auckland's Harbour Bridge will shimmer yellow this week to mark Road Safety Week.
The Yellow Ribbon Alliance, a group of firms raising awareness of road trauma, is promoting use of the colour to highlight road safety.
Road Safety Week participants can show their support by wearing yellow or … View moreAuckland's Harbour Bridge will shimmer yellow this week to mark Road Safety Week.
The Yellow Ribbon Alliance, a group of firms raising awareness of road trauma, is promoting use of the colour to highlight road safety.
Road Safety Week participants can show their support by wearing yellow or donning a yellow ribbon pin.
Members of the public are invited to go yellow to show their support.
Organisations will be reminding drivers to stick below the speed limit, especially around schools and communities, and to adhere to the 20 km/h limit for passing a school bus.
School students are busy making posters reminding drivers to slow down, and will be dressed in yellow.
In its 10th year, the annual week will focus on speed with the Streets for Life theme.
More than 80,000 speed notices were issued around schools last year.
One in four people killed on New Zealand roads were in a crash where someone drove too fast for the conditions.
Speeding was a contributing factor in 79 fatal crashes and 424 serious injury crashes last year.
In 2020, more than 4000 speed notices and more than 80,000 speed camera notices were issued for offences near schools during school hours.
Learn what to do when recycling broken glass. Large chunks are ok, as long as they are from grocery packaging. Always remember when recycling if in doubt, leave it out.
www.youtube.com...
Hi neighbours,
Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day … View moreHi neighbours,
Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day removal
* Free quotes over the phone
We will beat any prices in the market by 10%.
Support your local business.
Give us a call on ** 0800 50 00 01 ** and we will be happy to have a chat.
West Auckland Pick Up Only.
Email: 5dollarfirewood@gmail.com for next location pick up.
Get a 60 Litre bag of dry, factory off-cut (sawn to size for use in wood-burners), untreated firewood for just $5 a bag.
This firewood is priced at less than half the cost of a similar-sized firewood bags in … View moreWest Auckland Pick Up Only.
Email: 5dollarfirewood@gmail.com for next location pick up.
Get a 60 Litre bag of dry, factory off-cut (sawn to size for use in wood-burners), untreated firewood for just $5 a bag.
This firewood is priced at less than half the cost of a similar-sized firewood bags in the supermarket.
Email subscribers who send us their email address will get first notice of location pick up on the day.
Cash payment only - no eftpos.
See Facebook Marketplace link here:
www.facebook.com......
Sunday 23/5/21 pick up venue (as from 12 noon):
Email: 5dollarfirewood@gmail.com for next location pick up.
Look out for the $5 Firewood lawn signs, and cage trailer as per pics.
Some of you may remember me reaching out about an amazing sport, Pickleball, back in 2018-2019. Now, Pickleball is alive and well at a number of local centres. But until recently, not so much in the evenings. Now you can play with friends & whanau after work on Thursday evenings at the Mt.… View moreSome of you may remember me reaching out about an amazing sport, Pickleball, back in 2018-2019. Now, Pickleball is alive and well at a number of local centres. But until recently, not so much in the evenings. Now you can play with friends & whanau after work on Thursday evenings at the Mt. Albert YMCA. 6:45 -8:45 PM. Check it out on 773 New North Road some Thursday evening. Ask for Emily to show you the ropes. Only equipment needed for newbies is comfortable clothing and court shoes. And a $5 contribution to help pay stadium rental.
West Auckland Pick Up Only.
Email: 5dollarfirewood@gmail.com for next location pick up.
Get a 60 Litre bag of dry, factory off-cut (sawn to size for use in wood-burners), untreated firewood for just $5 a bag.
This firewood is priced at less than half the cost of a similar-sized firewood bags in … View moreWest Auckland Pick Up Only.
Email: 5dollarfirewood@gmail.com for next location pick up.
Get a 60 Litre bag of dry, factory off-cut (sawn to size for use in wood-burners), untreated firewood for just $5 a bag.
This firewood is priced at less than half the cost of a similar-sized firewood bags in the supermarket.
Subscribers who send us their email address will get first notice of location pick up on the day.
Cash payment only - no eftpos.
See Facebook Marketplace link here:
www.facebook.com...
Sunday 23/5/21 pick up venue:
Outside Glen Eden Intermediate School, 1pm - 2pm
Look out for the $5 Firewood lawn signs, and cage trailer as per pics.
Exclusive new data has also uncovered alarming disparities in the number of women in specialised medical roles.
There are nearly 1200 more senior male doctors employed by the country's public hospitals compared to female, with women making up just a fraction of many highly paid medical … View moreExclusive new data has also uncovered alarming disparities in the number of women in specialised medical roles.
There are nearly 1200 more senior male doctors employed by the country's public hospitals compared to female, with women making up just a fraction of many highly paid medical positions. A gender breakdown of New Zealand senior doctors shows 3459 are male and 2276 are female. While more than half of the country's medical graduates are women, they only account for 6.5 per cent of orthopaedic surgeons. Experts say the findings are evidence of alarming gender bias in medicine and highlight how women are being undervalued by our health system, with detrimental impacts on patient care. National's health spokesman Shane Reti has slated DHBs for "unacceptable" and "inappropriate" gender-based behaviour. "This is a discussion that needs to be had across the whole system….DHBs need to explain their current gender imbalance and how they will address it," Reti said.
Doctors and health experts spoken to by the Weekend Herald described a "boys' club culture" pervading the New Zealand health system. They say the stark gender gap in medicine is just the "tip of the iceberg". Some female doctors had experienced ingrained sexist attitudes, such as being labelled "hormonal" or "aggressive" when voicing strong opinions. Others shared stories of surgeons asking junior doctors for sex in order to advance their careers, medical graduates routinely facing sexual harassment on the job and female doctors needing to undergo fertility treatment after delaying children to focus on medicine. Most women interviewed did not want to be identified out of fear of losing their jobs. Angela Lim, a medical doctor and chief executive of mental health social enterprise Clearhead, said being a woman in medicine meant smiling through comments at board meetings, such as when a patronising older man commented: "You speak really well, not just a pretty face." "I have to bite my tongue to not mention that I went to Harvard to complete my research sabbatical and have sat on more boards than he has," Lim said. Data obtained under the Official Information Act shows significant regional disparities, with Whanganui DHB recording the country's worst gender pay gap for senior doctors ($73,135), followed by Auckland DHB ($64,806). The national average was $26,000. Across all industries, the gap between Kiwi men's and women's hourly pay sits at about 9.5 per cent, according to Stats NZ figures. In specialised medicine, it's 12.5 per cent. That means while overall women get paid 91c to every $1 a man earns, in specialised medicine, it's 88c to $1. Only two of the country's 20 DHBs showed senior female doctors being paid more than their male colleagues. They were Tairāwhiti DHB, where women were paid $31,696 more, and Canterbury DHB, where women received an additional $316. Exclusive data showed that while surgery is the highest-paid medical profession, it has by far the lowest proportion of women. Despite the disparities, all but one of the country's 20 DHBs remain without a plan to tackle the problem. However, a senior doctors' union has launched an investigation into the scale of the gender pay gap at public hospitals, the Weekend Herald can reveal. Charlotte Chambers, principal analyst at Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), said a pilot study, involving three DHBs, was auditing medical specialists' remuneration and analysing the salary scale each doctor started on, the qualifications they had when they started in that role, along with any additional remuneration and where they now sit on the salary scale. The union aims to roll the programme out nationally by the end of the year. "We are trying to get objective quantifiable indicators of qualifications etc...and on that basis, we will be looking to find out if there are gender differences, how did they manifest and what could be the reasons for those differences," Chambers, who is leading the investigation, said.
But she stressed the gender pay gap was just a small part of a much bigger problem. "All DHBs have given us acknowledgement that gender equality is an issue of concern and they have all signalled their intent to fix it."
Health Minister Andrew Little acknowledged the problem was wider than the pay gap and said work was under way to ensure growth of health leaders that were truly representative of the community they served. "It's important to ensure that the health sector accommodates people from a wide range of backgrounds and enables them to succeed in their careers, no matter what gender they identify with and what their personal aspirations are." Little said there was "no tolerance for sexual harassment within the health sector" and if any employee was being sexually harassed, he'd encourage them to report it immediately. "My expectation is that management and DHBs strive to create a supportive workplace culture for all personnel." There are currently 3459 male senior doctors in New Zealand, compared to only 2276 female doctors.
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We're very excited to announce Competenz as our new Neighbourly partner. Competenz is an Industry Training Organisation and helps people develop their skills on the job.
We truly believe in the work they do to help people gain apprenticeships, build their skills and work alongside New … View moreWe're very excited to announce Competenz as our new Neighbourly partner. Competenz is an Industry Training Organisation and helps people develop their skills on the job.
We truly believe in the work they do to help people gain apprenticeships, build their skills and work alongside New Zealand businesses.
Please join us in welcoming Competenz and stay tuned for job listings and other exciting content!
Hello everyone, I'm hoping to find a person who can read Dutch and help me interpret some old family documents please. I am exploring my father's Dutch colonial family history and have records of their immigration from Indonesia to New Zealand pre-1950. However, I am unable to read Dutch … View moreHello everyone, I'm hoping to find a person who can read Dutch and help me interpret some old family documents please. I am exploring my father's Dutch colonial family history and have records of their immigration from Indonesia to New Zealand pre-1950. However, I am unable to read Dutch and would love to gain a bit of understanding of what each document is about. I don't need everything interpreted but just an overview of what each is about would be a wonderful start.
If you can help me, please contact Eve on 021 0275 2766. Many thanks in advance.
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