Rosemary Du Plessis – on presenting to the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity

I presented the NCWNZ oral submission during the third hearing of the Committee on Monday 25 August, as lead writer Irene Ryan was unavailable. Although actively involved in the full submission, coordinating the Ōtautahi Christchurch Branch response and as an Economic Independence Action Hub member, it was a bit daunting to present to such a high-powered set of women, and to condense our key points to the allocated fifteen minutes in total -- and we needed to leave time for questions/discussion.  For submissions and recording see:

• NCWNZ Submissions: NCWNZ Submissions;S25.15_ORAL_People's_Select_Committee_on_Pay_Equity.pdf and  S25.15_People's_Select_Committee_on_Pay_Equity.pdf
• Select Committee recording: YouTube https://share.google/CR4YgbDYcvab71f2z see 2.09.50 - 2.29.06

Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025

On 6 May 2025, the Government passed the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2025 under urgency, replacing the 2020 legislation without consultation or a Regulatory Impact Statement. This abrupt legislative change discontinued 33 active pay equity claims—some close to settlement—and made future claims significantly harder to pursue. The new law raised the threshold for female-dominated work to 70% over 10 years (previously 60%), introduced a 10-year bar on repeat claims for the same employees, and gave employers greater control over claim eligibility and the right to opt out of multi-employer claims. It also restricted the selection of comparator occupations, making it harder to demonstrate pay inequities across sectors, and prohibited review clauses in settlements—undermining long-term accountability.

People’s Select Committee

Marilyn Waring convened the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity, comprising 10 former MPs from across the political spectrum, to hear submissions from individuals and organisations excluded from the legislative process. Their goal is to enable adequate scrutiny of the regulatory, economic and social impacts of this change to the Pay Equity Amendment Act 2020 through consideration of evidence provided by those directly affected and the public. https://www.payequity.org.nz/

NCWNZ responses

NCWNZ issued an immediate strong public statement: NCWNZ Calls Out the Coalition Government For Its War on Women https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/tags/pay_equity .  

NCWNZ coordinated a detailed written submission led by Irene Ryan, co-convenor of the Economic Independence Action Hub, with branches, members, and affiliated organisations contributing their responses through an Action Item. Irene and I wrote the oral submission.

Tips for presenters

1. Learn from Previous Hearings
   Before presenting, I watched recordings of earlier hearings to understand how others structure their submissions. The first face-to-face hearing in Wellington is particularly valuable—it featured experienced presenters like Dame Silvia Cartwright, the CTU, and unions involved in past pay equity negotiations. Observing how they distilled complex information into clear, actionable points and responded to committee questions can help refine your own approach. Focus on how presenters framed their recommendations and handled follow-up questions. https://www.payequity.org.nz/hearings
2. Support and Set-up
   If presenting online, take advantage of support offered by organisers. Presenters are typically welcomed into a breakout room before their session, which helps ease nerves and clarify the process. Arrive early for an opportunity to see how the committee members pose questions and the nature of responses. Also position your camera to show only your head and shoulders—this keeps the focus on your message and avoids distractions like animated hand gestures
3. Be Ready for Extended Discussion
   While oral submissions are usually time-limited, be prepared for additional questions. NCWNZ’s session was extended from 15 to 20 minutes due to committee interest. Expect questions that go beyond your presentation. For example, NCWNZ was asked about engagement with Coalition women MPs, consultation during the legislative process, strategies to shift government policy, and implications of raising the age for national superannuation. 
4. Prepare to Handle Unexpected Questions
   Some questions may fall outside your prepared material. For example, in response to the question relating to national superannuation, I could have referred to our recent submission to the Retirement Commission on the 2025 Review of Retirement Income Policies Terms of Reference. 
5. Draw on Lived Experience and Expertise
   Many effective presenters shared personal stories from female-dominated occupations or insights from negotiating pay equity claims. Combining professional knowledge with lived experience adds depth and authenticity to your submission. Watching your own recorded presentation afterward can also be a valuable learning tool—helping you refine your delivery and presentation style for future opportunities.

Next steps

This process reinforced my sense that NCWNZ and other women’s organisations need a diverse set of strategies to regain a legal framework that supports access to fair pay for those in undervalued, but hugely important occupations mainly done by women. The next step is participation in the Women’s Day of Action on 20 September https://www.together.org.nz/women_s_day_of_action.

To read more articles from The Circular (July-August 2025) issue 653, click on the tag below.