Table of Contents
Summarised by Centrist
Minister Karen Chhour confirmed she has asked officials for a formal explanation of a collective agreement clause at Oranga Tamariki.
Negotiated by the Public Service Association in 2023, the clause provides “all Māori members with access to paid discretionary leave for the purpose of cultural obligations.”
Examples listed include “land court hearings,” “hapū or trust committee elections or meetings,” and “cultural performances i.e. Matatini, the national kapa haka festival.”
The provision states the list is “not exhaustive”. Instead, it says such obligations are “best understood and articulated by kaimahi [employees] themselves… rather than being determined or prescribed by your employer.”
The PSA memo says Oranga Tamariki frames the leave as reflecting a shared commitment “to uphold Te Tiriti.”
There is no equivalent cultural leave clause for other groups. As described on the Duncan Garner podcast, “If you’re Māori, it’s paid. If you’re not, it’s annual leave or nothing.”
A whistleblower from inside the agency told the podcast, “At worst, all staff should then get cultural leave or ideally no one should.”
Chhour, the Minister for Children and an ACT MP who has campaigned on “one law for all New Zealanders,” said the exemptions “do not sit comfortably with her”.
She has asked the ministry for a “please explain” outlining “how, when, who was behind this, when it was accessed, who has accessed it, how widespread it is.”
