Union membership return report 2020

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 2020 was 380,659. This represents 16.42 percent of employees in the labour force. Total union membership increased by 2.0 percent compared to the previous year.

Analysis

As at 1 March 2020, there were 133 registered unions in New Zealand.

Filers

By 2020, 112 unions had provided their membership returns. Of those:

  • 37 unions (33 percent of those which provided their returns) have fewer than 100 members. One union had no 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, 61.5 percent of members were women.
  • The 10 largest unions had a combined membership of 310,514.

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 2020, 21 registered unions did not submit a return to the Registrar. One union submitted a return but did not disclose its number of members. In summary, of the 21:

  • 1 is in liquidation;
  • 1 has merged with another union;
  • The remaining 19 unions will continue to be monitored by the Registrar, including their compliance and any status change of the associated incorporated societies.

The 1 union that submitted a return but did not disclose its membership number will be contacted by the Registrar to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

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

  2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Number of union members at 1 March 359,782 357,120 355,511 351,769 372,551 380,659
% change year-on-year -1.4 -0.7 -0.45 -1.05 +5.9 +2
% of employees who are union members 18.3 17.7 17.2 15.7 16.31 16.41
% of employed labour force who are union members 15.5 15.2 14.0 13.29 14.01 14.29
% change in employed labour force +3.2 +2.0 +5.7 +3.1 1.5 1.6

 

A chart showing the numbers of union members and non members for 2015 to 2020.

Union membership by industry and gender, 1 March 2020

Industry Female Male Not
provided
*		 Total
Accommodation 182 94 4 280
Administrative and support services 1,614 1,559 196 3,369
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 2,180 8,092 81 10,353
Arts and recreation services 1,162 1,029 76 2,267
Construction 235 5,075 31 5,341
Education and training 66,010 20,531 45 86,586
Electricity, gas, water and waste services 1,039 4,221 110 5,370
Financial and insurance services 2,727 1,047 - 3,774
Health care and social assistance 93,338 17,591 8,038 118,967
Information media and telecommunications 188 433 13 634
Manufacturing 8,507 27,111 506 36,124
Mining 53 770 15 838
Other services 7,658 7,452 173 15,283
Professional, scientific and technical services 2,026 4,298 5 6,329
Public administration and safety 22,029 17,838 70 39,937
Rental, hiring and real estate services 23 138 6 167
Retail trade 9,667 5,317 40 15,024
Transport, postal and warehousing 9,100 19,464 570 29,134
Wholesale trade 224 658 - 882
Total 227,962 142,718 9,979 380,659

* 2 unions did not provide membership by gender.

Returns from individual unions

"N/R" denotes a union that had not filed its annual return for 2020.

Name of union Membership as at 1 March 2020
ALTERNATIVE STAFF GROUP INCORPORATED 109
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 3,818
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND SOUTHERN INCORPORATED NR[1]
AOTEAROA CORRECTIONS UNION INCORPORATED NR
AOTEAROA LEGAL WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 804
AOTEAROA TECH UNION INCORPORATED 146
ARA ACADEMIC STAFF OF CANTERBURY INCORPORATED 258
ASSOCIATED COUNCIL EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED NR[2]
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONALS AND EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 4,580
ASSOCIATION OF SALARIED MEDICAL SPECIALISTS INCORPORATED 4,948
AVIATION AND MARINE ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 2,939
AVIATION WORKERS UNITED INCORPORATED 39
BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 285
BORDER OPS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 129
BUREAU STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 152
CANTERBURY AND REGIONS TOTALISATOR EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR[3]
CENTRAL AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[4]
CENTRAL STAFF COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 153
CIE WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 15
COMBINED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 479
COMBINED HOSPITAL INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT UNION INCORPORATED NR[5]
CORRECTIONS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 3,480
DIRECTORS AND EDITORS GUILD OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 161
DTA STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 55
E TŪ INCORPORATED 55,709
EASTERN BAY INDEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL WORKERS UNION 1995 INCORPORATED 47
EASTERN CIVIL ENGINEERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[6]
ELECTRICAL UNION 2001 INCORPORATED 119
EQUITY NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 986
FEATHERSTON MILL WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED 18
FIRST UNION INCORPORATED 30,024
FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 516
H H B WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 121
HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES SOCIETY INCORPORATED 101
HAWKES BAY WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[7]
HOSPO WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 21
HUTT VALLEY SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT BUS DRIVERS INCORPORATED 13
IAG NZ STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 395
INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL WORKERS UNION 1995 (INCORPORATED) 41
J BALLANTYNE STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 117
KING'S COLLEGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 86
LEGAL WORKERS UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED NR[8]
M.E.U. SOCIETY INCORPORATED 59
MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION WORKERS UNION (INCORP. SHIPWRIGHTS,MOULDER COACHWORKERS,BOILERMAKERS,PULP & PAPER 1,715
MARITIME UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 3,041
MATES UNION INCORPORATED 420
MIDWIFERY EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION AND ADVISORY SERVICE INCORPORATED 1,496
NAPIER CITY COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 100
NATIONAL UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 1,211
NELSON COLLECTIVE UNION INCORPORATED NR[9]
NEW ZEALAND AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 2,680
NEW ZEALAND AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 337
NEW ZEALAND CENTRAL BAKING TRADES AND RELATED TRADES EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED 13
NEW ZEALAND DAIRY WORKERS UNION - TE RUNANGA WAI U INCORPORATED 8,278
NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE TE RIU ROA INCORPORATED 49,666
NEW ZEALAND FISHING INDUSTRY GUILD INCORPORATED 534
NEW ZEALAND FURNITURE MANUFACTURING AND ASSOCIATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 346
NEW ZEALAND MEAT WORKERS AND RELATED TRADES UNION INCORPORATED 14,116
NEW ZEALAND MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 680
NEW ZEALAND NETBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 60
NEW ZEALAND POLICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 12,715
NEW ZEALAND POLICE LEADERS' GUILD INCORPORATED 136
NEW ZEALAND POST-PRIMARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 19,649
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS AND TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 47
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,920
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 81
NEW ZEALAND PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION TE PUKENGA HERE TIKANGA MAHI INCORPORATED 59,476
NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT DOCTORS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 2,698
NEW ZEALAND TRAMWAYS AND PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR[10]
NEW ZEALAND TRAMWAYS AND PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES' UNION WELLINGTON BRANCH INCORPORATED 380
NEW ZEALAND WRITERS GUILD INCORPORATED NR[11]
NORTH ISLAND MUSSELS EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR[12]
NORTHERN AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED NR[13]
NORTHERN CHEMICAL WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 1186
NORTHERN TOTALISATOR AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 97
NUMBER ONE MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR[14]
NZ EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR[15]
NZ TOUR DRIVERS UNION INCORPORATED 10
OMNIBUS WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR[16]
ONE UNION INCORPORATED 15
PORTPRO INCORPORATED 49
POSTAL WORKERS UNION OF AOTEAROA INCORPORATED 854
PROFESSIONAL VERIFIERS' INSTITUTE INCORPORATED 163
PROMINA GROUP STAFF ASSOCIATION NZ INCORPORATED 141
QANTAS EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 43
RAIL AND MARITIME TRANSPORT UNION INCORPORATED 5,120
REUNITED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 176
SAINT KENTIGERN TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 148
SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 0[17]
SECONDARY PRINCIPALS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 157
SHORECARE STAFF SOCIETY INCORPORATED 42
SLGOU ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED NR[18]
SOUTHERN COASTAL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 125
SOUTHLAND ENTERPRISES UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 80
SPECIALTY TRAINEES OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 1,502
ST CUTHBERT'S COLLEGE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 127
TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 116
TASMAN STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 24
TAXPRO INCORPORATED 721
TE KUITI BEEF WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 94
TE UNIANA O NSNZ INCORPORATED 4,208
TERTIARY INSTITUTES ALLIED STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 1,309
THE AMALGAMATED STEVEDORES UNION INCORPORATED 636
THE ASSOCIATION OF MARINE PROFESSIONALS INCORPORATED 15
THE CAREGIVERS AND RELATED EMPLOYEES INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF STAFF INCORPORATED NR[19]
THE CLUTHA DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 86
THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 512
THE FEDERATION OF AIR NEW ZEALAND PILOTS INCORPORATED 205
THE GREY DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 56
THE HAWKE'S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF UNION INCORPORATED 71
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 839
THE NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 168
THE NEW ZEALAND FIRE EMERGENCY COMMANDERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 80
THE NEW ZEALAND NURSES ORGANISATION INCORPORATED 51,426
THE NEW ZEALAND TERTIARY EDUCATION UNION TE HAUTU KAHURANGI O AOTEAROA INCORPORATED 9,455
THE PULP & PAPER WORKERS UNION - KAWERAU INCORPORATED 409
THE RIGHT UNION INCORPORATED 18
THE RUGBY PLAYERS COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 680
THE SOUTH WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR[20]
THE SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 17
THE SURFSIDE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 218
THE WESTLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 28
TIG - THE INDEPENDENT GROUP INCORPORATED NR[21]
TIG-HW INCORPORATED 62
TUIA UNION INCORPORATED 314
UNISON NETWORKS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 34
UNITE INCORPORATED 5,624
UNITED FISHERIES WORKPLACE UNION INCORPORATED 53
WAINGAWA WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED NR[22]
WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 139
WHAKATANE DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 130
WORK & INCOME NORTHLAND STAFF INCORPORATED 68
WSA INCORPORATED 91

 

Footnotes

[1]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[2]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[3]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[4]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[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] 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]  Merged with Amalgamated Workers Union New Zealand Incorporated.
[14]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[15]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[16]  In liquidation.
[17]  Return submitted but number of members not disclosed. 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 Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[21]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.
[22]  The Registrar will contact the union to see if it wishes to apply to have its registration cancelled.

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