Union membership return report 2019

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 2019 was 372,551. This represents 16.31% of employees in the labour force. Total union membership increased by 5.9% compared to the previous year.

Analysis

As at 1 March 2019, there were 135 registered unions in New Zealand. During 2019, 8 unions were wound up.

Filers

By 2019, 122 unions had provided their membership returns. Of those:

  • 34 unions (27.8% of those which provided their returns) have fewer than 100 members. 2 unions had no members and 1 had less than 10 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, 58.95% of members were women.
  • The 10 largest unions had a combined membership of 279,143.

Non-filers

The Registrar followed a compliance process to remind unions of their filing obligations and to manage those that did not file. This process includes a series of reminder communications which exhausted all contact options. In 2019, 16 registered unions did not submit a return to the Registrar. Of those:

  • 1 is in liquidation;
  • 1 has merged with another union;
  • The remaining 14 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.

  2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Number of union members at 1 March 364,846 359,782 357,120 355,511 351,769 372,551
% change year on year -1.8 -1.4 -0.7 -0.45 -1.05 +5.9
 % of employees who are union members 18.6 18.3 17.7 17.2 15.7 16.31
 % of employed labour force who are union members 15.7 15.5 15.2 14.0 13.29

14.01
% change in employed labour force +3.7 +3.2 +2.0 +5.7 +3.1 1.5

 

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

 

Union membership by industry and gender, 1 March 2019

Industry Female Male Not known * Total
Accommodation 498 258 11 767
Administrative and support services 19,389 10,881 126 30,396
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 632 1,859 4 2,495
Arts and recreation services 2,195 1,950 29 4,174
Construction 421 5,314 32 5,767
Education and training 62,617 18,603 109 81,329
Electricity, gas, water and waste Services 497 3,166 82 3,745
Financial and insurance services 2,818 973   3,791
Health care and social assistance 86,781 15,989 8,281 111,051
Information media and telecommunications 263 671 10 944
Manufacturing 10,429 33,594 339 44,362
Mining 57 735 8 800
Other services 7,073 8,123 197 15,393
Professional, scientific and technical services 533 2,754 1 3,288
Public administration and safety 8,577 15,422 49 24,048
Rental, hiring and real estate services 26 203 5 234
Retail trade 8,876 4,779 23 13,678
Transport, postal and warehousing 7,721 17,899 108 25,728
Wholesale trade 203 358   561
Total 219,606 143,531 9,414 372,551

* 3 unions did not provide membership by gender. 4 unions provided a combination of membership by gender, those who have not provided a gender, and those who are gender diverse.

Returns from individual unions

"N/R" denotes a union that had not filed its annual return for 2019.

Name of union Membership as at 1 March 2019
ALTERNATIVE STAFF GROUP INCORPORATED 97
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 2,890
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND SOUTHERN INCORPORATED 3,860
AOTEAROA CORRECTIONS UNION INCORPORATED NR[1]
AOTEAROA LEGAL WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 15
AOTEAROA TECH UNION INCORPORATED 82
ARA ACADEMIC STAFF OF CANTERBURY INCORPORATED 221
ASSOCIATED COUNCIL EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 49
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONALS AND EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 4,503
ASSOCIATION OF SALARIED MEDICAL SPECIALISTS INCORPORATED 4,901
AVIATION AND MARINE ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 2,765
BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 246
BORDER OPS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 111
BUREAU STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 142
CANTERBURY AND REGIONS TOTALISATOR EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 98
CENTRAL AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 2,264
CENTRAL STAFF COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 159
CHRIST'S COLLEGE ACADEMIC STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR[2]
CIE WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 15
COMBINED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 485
COMBINED HOSPITAL INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT UNION INCORPORATED NR[3]
CORRECTIONS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 3,480
DTA STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 55
E TU INCORPORATED 53,447
EASTERN BAY INDEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL WORKERS UNION 1995 INCORPORATED 59
EASTERN CIVIL ENGINEERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[4]
ELECTRICAL UNION 2001 INCORPORATED 113
EQUITY NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 968
FEATHERSTON MILL WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED NR[5]
FIRST UNION INCORPORATED 27823
FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 486
H H B WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 111
HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES SOCIETY INCORPORATED 98
HAWKES BAY WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[6]
HUTT VALLEY SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT BUS DRIVERS INCORPORATED NR[7]
IAG NZ STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 397
INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL WORKERS UNION 1995 (INCORPORATED) 38
J BALLANTYNE STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 110
KING'S COLLEGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 86
LEGAL WORKERS UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED NR[8]
M.E.U. SOCIETY INCORPORATED 69
MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION WORKERS UNION (INCORP. SHIPWRIGHTS,MOULDER COACHWORKERS,BOILERMAKERS,PULP & PAPER 1,696
MARITIME UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 2,991
MATES UNION INCORPORATED 565
MIDWIFERY EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION AND ADVISORY SERVICE INCORPORATED 1,390
NAPIER CITY COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 105
NATIONAL UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 1,409
NELSON COLLECTIVE UNION INCORPORATED 144
NEW ZEALAND AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 2,499
NEW ZEALAND AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 261
NEW ZEALAND CENTRAL BAKING TRADES AND RELATED TRADES EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR[9]
NEW ZEALAND DAIRY WORKERS UNION - TE RUNANGA WAI U INCORPORATED 8,032
NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE TE RIU ROA INCORPORATED 47,559
NEW ZEALAND FISHING INDUSTRY GUILD INCORPORATED 718
NEW ZEALAND FURNITURE MANUFACTURING AND ASSOCIATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 333
NEW ZEALAND MEAT WORKERS AND RELATED TRADES UNION INCORPORATED 14,417
NEW ZEALAND MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 721
NEW ZEALAND NETBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 60
NEW ZEALAND POLICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 12,058
NEW ZEALAND POLICE MANAGERS' GUILD INCORPORATED 116
NEW ZEALAND POST-PRIMARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 18,760
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS AND TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 45
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,890
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 173
NEW ZEALAND PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION TE PUKENGA HERE TIKANGA MAHI INCORPORATED 59,685
NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT DOCTORS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 3,426
NEW ZEALAND TRAMWAYS AND PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED 460
NEW ZEALAND WRITERS GUILD INCORPORATED 353
NORTH ISLAND MUSSELS EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED 136
NORTHERN AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[10]
NORTHERN CHEMICAL WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,081
NORTHERN TOTALISATOR AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 115
NUMBER ONE MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR[11]
NZ EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED 0
NZ TOUR DRIVERS UNION INCORPORATED 12
OMNIBUS WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[12]
PORTPRO INCORPORATED 53
PROFESSIONAL VERIFIERS' INSTITUTE INCORPORATED 150
PROMINA GROUP STAFF ASSOCIATION NZ INCORPORATED 119
QANTAS EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 59
RAIL AND MARITIME TRANSPORT UNION INCORPORATED 4,847
REUNITED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 179
SAINT KENTIGERN TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 153
SCHOOL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 0[13]
SECONDARY PRINCIPALS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 131
SHORECARE STAFF SOCIETY INCORPORATED 45
SLGOU ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED NR[14]
SOUTHERN COASTAL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 143
SOUTHLAND ENTERPRISES UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 77
SPECIALTY TRAINEES OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 1,394
ST CUTHBERT'S COLLEGE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 99
TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 131
TASMAN STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR[15]
TAXPRO INCORPORATED 883
TE KUITI BEEF WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[16]
TE UNIANA O NSNZ INCORPORATED 2,821
TERTIARY INSTITUTES ALLIED STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 1,314
THE AMALGAMATED STEVEDORES UNION INCORPORATED 644
THE ASSOCIATION OF MARINE PROFESSIONALS INCORPORATED 15
THE CAREGIVERS AND RELATED EMPLOYEES INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF STAFF INCORPORATED 125
THE CLUTHA DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 85
THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 463
THE FEDERATION OF AIR NEW ZEALAND PILOTS INCORPORATED 205
THE GREY DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 64
THE HAWKE'S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF UNION INCORPORATED 65
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 868
THE NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 165
THE NEW ZEALAND FIRE AND RESCUE COMMANDERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 75
THE NEW ZEALAND NURSES ORGANISATION INCORPORATED 48,549
THE NEW ZEALAND TERTIARY EDUCATION UNION TE HAUTU KAHURANGI O AOTEAROA INCORPORATED 9,422
THE PULP & PAPER WORKERS UNION - KAWERAU INCORPORATED 436
THE RUGBY PLAYERS COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 140
THE SOUTH WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 5
THE SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 19
THE SURFSIDE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 217
THE WESTLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 26
TIG - THE INDEPENDENT GROUP INCORPORATED 96
TIG-HW INCORPORATED 96
TUIA UNION INCORPORATED 360
UNISON NETWORKS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 35
UNITE INCORPORATED 5,900
UNITED FISHERIES WORKPLACE UNION INCORPORATED 58
WAINGAWA WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED NR[17]
WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 121
WHAKATANE DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 121
WORK & INCOME NORTHLAND STAFF INCORPORATED 65
WSA INCORPORATED 76

 

Footnotes

[1] The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[2] The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.
[3] The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[4] The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.
[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 Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[8] The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[9] The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[10] Merged with AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED.
[11] The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[12] In Liquidation.
[13] The union filed a return but no membership figures were disclosed. The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[14] The associated incorporated society has been dissolved.
[15] The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[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.

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