Union membership return report 2018

Part of: Annual return membership reports

The Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE) and the Registrar of Unions publish this report for the benefit of the government, unions, employers and employees, and the public.

 

Section 16 of the Employment Relations Act 2000 requires every registered union in New Zealand to file with the Registrar of Unions, by 1 June each year, an annual return of its membership numbers as at 1 March of that year.

Summary

Based on the returns received by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, total union membership as of 1 March 2018 was 351769. This represents 13.29% of employees in the labour force. Total union membership decreased by 1.05% compared to the previous year.

Analysis

As at 1 March 2018, there were 132 registered unions in New Zealand. During the 2017/2018 years five unions were wound up, and four were newly registered.

Filers

By 28 February 2019, 102 unions had provided their membership returns. Of those:

  • 35 unions (26.51% of those which provided their returns) have fewer than 100 members. One union had no members and two unions had less than ten members. The Registrar is in contact with these unions to determine their future registration status.
  • Of the unions that provided gender details of their membership, 60% of members were women.
  • The ten largest unions had a combined membership of 293,831.

Non-filers

The Registrar followed a compliance process to remind unions of their filing obligations and to manage those that did not file. Twenty-five registered unions did not submit a return to the Registrar. Of those:

  • Two will be referred to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) to seek an order directing the Registrar of Unions to cancel the union’s registration as their associated incorporated society is no longer registered and therefore the union no longer meets the union registration requirements;
  • One union is in liquidation;
  • The remaining 23 unions will continue to be monitored by the Registrar, including their compliance and any status change of the associated incorporated societies.

These unions have been included in the list below with reference to the notes above. 

  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Number of union members at 1 March 371,613 364,846 359,782 357,120 355,511 351,769
% change year on year -2.0 -1.8 -1.4 -0.7 -0.45 -1.05
 % of employees who are union members 20.1 18.6 18.3 17.7 17.2 15.7
 % of employed labour force who are union members 16.6 15.7 15.5 15.2 14.0 13.29
% change in employed labour force +0.3 +3.7 +3.2 +2.0 +5.7 +3.1

 

Graph showing union membership status within the labour force as described above

 

Union membership by industry and gender, 1 March 2018

Industry Female Male Not known Total
Accommodation 850 354 6 1,210
Administrative and support services 18,628 10,363 64 29,055
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 339 1,292 4 1,635
Arts and recreation services 2,779 2,611 24 5,414
Construction 382 5,027 18 5,427
Education and training 59,360 17,980 24 77,364
Electricity, gas, water and waste services 481 3,061 33 3,575
Financial and insurance services 2,931 998   3,929
Health care and social assistance 81,805 12,410 8,037 102,252
Information media and telecommunications 230 696 7 933
Manufacturing 10,731 33,519 271 44,521
Mining 55 662 5 722
Other services 3,683 4,694 129 8,506
Professional, scientific and technical services 35 120   155
Public administration and safety 8,002 13,740 148 21,890
Rental, hiring and real estate services 17 208 1 226
Retail trade 11,316 6,282 21 17,619
Transport, postal and warehousing 5,822 20,713 103 26,638
Wholesale trade 208 490   698
Total 206,855 142,420 7,845 357,120

Returns from individual unions

N/R denotes a union that had not filed its annual return by 28 February 2019.

Name of union Membership as at 1 March 2018
ASSOCIATION OF SALARIED MEDICAL SPECIALISTS INCORPORATED NR 1
THE GREY DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 60
UNISON NETWORKS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 34
NAPIER CITY COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 161
ST PETER'S SCHOOL, CAMBRIDGE, ACADEMIC STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR 2
BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 231
THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED Cancelled 3
HAWKES BAY WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR 4
NORTH ISLAND MUSSELS EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR 5
CANTERBURY AND REGIONS TOTALISATOR EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR 6
SURGICAL TRAINEES OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 56
THE RUGBY PLAYERS COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 680
MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION WORKERS UNION (INCORP. SHIPWRIGHTS,MOULDER COACHWORKERS,BOILERMAKERS,PULP & PAPER 1,632
NEW ZEALAND PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION TE PUKENGA HERE TIKANGA MAHI INCORPORATED 58,336
INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL WORKERS UNION 1995 (INCORPORATED) 36
NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE TE RIU ROA INCORPORATED 45,146
THE NEW ZEALAND TERTIARY EDUCATION UNION TE HAUTU KAHURANGI O AOTEAROA INCORPORATED 9,408
SOUTHLAND ENTERPRISES UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 86
TERTIARY INSTITUTES ALLIED STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 1,388
UNITE INCORPORATED 6,858
FIRST UNION INCORPORATED 26,834
NEW ZEALAND BAKERS PASTRYCOOKS AND RELATED EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED 443
NORTHERN CHEMICAL WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,000
NEW ZEALAND MEAT WORKERS AND RELATED TRADES UNION INCORPORATED 13,716
NATIONAL UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 1,067
E TU INCORPORATED 54,295
NORTHERN AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 3,000
NEW ZEALAND FURNITURE MANUFACTURING AND ASSOCIATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 277
THE NEW ZEALAND FIRE AND RESCUE COMMANDERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 60
NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT DOCTORS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 3,816
NEW ZEALAND BUILDING TRADES UNION INCORPORATED Cancelled 7
NZ TOUR DRIVERS UNION INCORPORATED 13
NEW ZEALAND DAIRY WORKERS UNION - TE RUNANGA WAI U INCORPORATED 7,971
THE NEW ZEALAND NURSES ORGANISATION INCORPORATED 49,562
RAIL AND MARITIME TRANSPORT UNION INCORPORATED 4,709
NEW ZEALAND POLICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 11,558
NEW ZEALAND WRITERS GUILD INCORPORATED 450
PROMINA GROUP STAFF ASSOCIATION NZ INCORPORATED 133
NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL LABORATORY WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR 8
AVIATION AND MARINE ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 2,485
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,860
TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 113
IAG NZ STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 452
NEW ZEALAND TRAMWAYS AND PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED 420
NEW ZEALAND AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 2,404
NEW ZEALAND MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 718
NEW ZEALAND POST-PRIMARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 17,005
MARITIME UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 2,590
DTA STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 51
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 14
CENTRAL AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 2,271
NEW ZEALAND POLICE MANAGERS' GUILD INCORPORATED 115
CORRECTIONS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 3,352
THE AMALGAMATED STEVEDORES UNION INCORPORATED 418
NEW ZEALAND FISHING INDUSTRY GUILD INCORPORATED 581
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONALS AND EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 3,997
TE KUITI BEEF WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR 9
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND SOUTHERN INCORPORATED NR 10
THE SURFSIDE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 166
THE FEDERATION OF AIR NEW ZEALAND PILOTS INCORPORATED NR 11
NUMBER ONE MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR 12
ASSOCIATED COUNCIL EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 39
FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 474
ARA ACADEMIC STAFF OF CANTERBURY INCORPORATED NR 13
EASTERN BAY INDEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL WORKERS UNION 1995 INCORPORATED 57
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 802
TAXPRO INCORPORATED 1,036
TASMAN STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 49
WAINGAWA WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED 161
FEATHERSTON MILL WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED NR 14
THE NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 172
THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 400
ELECTRICAL UNION 2001 INCORPORATED 110
ALTERNATIVE STAFF GROUP INCORPORATED 97
THE AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT PLANNERS INCORPORATED NR 15
THE CLUTHA DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 77
SAINT KENTIGERN TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 157
THE SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 18
NORTHERN TOTALISATOR AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 117
NZ EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR 16
HUTT VALLEY SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT BUS DRIVERS INCORPORATED 17
SOUTHERN COASTAL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 122
WORK & INCOME NORTHLAND STAFF INCORPORATED 60
WHAKATANE DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR 17
CENTRAL STAFF COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 147
UNITED FISHERIES WORKPLACE UNION INCORPORATED 65
AMBULANCE OFFICER'S WORKPLACE UNION INCORPORATED NR 18
EASTERN CIVIL ENGINEERS UNION INCORPORATED NR 19
TIG-HW INCORPORATED 83
CHRIST'S COLLEGE ACADEMIC STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED Cancelled 20
BUREAU STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 114
THE SOUTH WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 6
WSA INCORPORATED 96
H H B WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 126
SHORECARE STAFF SOCIETY INCORPORATED 52
WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR 21
KING'S COLLEGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 84
MIDWIFERY EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION AND ADVISORY SERVICE INCORPORATED 925
TIG - THE INDEPENDENT GROUP INCORPORATED 0 22
ST.MARGARET'S COLLEGE TEACHERS UNION INCORPORATED Cancelled 23
THE HAWKE'S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF UNION INCORPORATED 51
NEW ZEALAND CENTRAL BAKING TRADES AND RELATED TRADES EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR 24
NELSON COLLECTIVE UNION INCORPORATED NR 25
QANTAS EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 54
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 173
MATES UNION INCORPORATED 350
COMBINED HOSPITAL INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT UNION INCORPORATED NR 26
THE CAREGIVERS AND RELATED EMPLOYEES INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF STAFF INCORPORATED 119
SLGOU ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED 22
NEW ZEALAND AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 241
REUNITED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 266
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS AND TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 40
NEW ZEALAND NETBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 60
M.E.U. SOCIETY INCORPORATED 98
SECONDARY PRINCIPALS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 122
CIE WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 15
TUIA UNION INCORPORATED 457
MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ALLIANCE (NEW ZEALAND) INCORPORATED 955
TOGETHER INCORPORATED Cancelled 27
PORTPRO INCORPORATED 94
OMNIBUS WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED (IN LIQ) In liq
PROFESSIONAL VERIFIERS' INSTITUTE INCORPORATED 121
SCHOOL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR 28
J BALLANTYNE STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 125
THE WESTLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 26
LEGAL WORKERS UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED NR 29
THE PULP & PAPER WORKERS UNION - KAWERAU INCORPORATED 428
BORDER OPS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 120
ST CUTHBERT'S COLLEGE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 101
AOTEAROA CORRECTIONS UNION INCORPORATED 17
THE ASSOCIATION OF MARINE PROFESSIONALS INCORPORATED 15
HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES SOCIETY INCORPORATED 101

 

Footnotes

1 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled. 

2 The union did not file an annual return so the Registrar will consider cancelling its registration. 

3 The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.

4 The union did not file an annual return so the Registrar will consider cancelling its registration.

5 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled. 

6 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

7 The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.

8 The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.

9 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

10 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

11 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

12 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled. 

13 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

14 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

15 The union did not file an annual return so the Registrar will consider cancelling its registration.

16 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

17 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

18 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

19 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

20 The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.

21 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

22 The union filed its annual return but it showed 0 members. The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

23 The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.

24 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

25 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

26 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

27 The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.

28 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

29 The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

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