Annual return membership reports

Each year the Registrar publishes a report of the annual returns received from registered unions.

View the most recent reports published by the Registrar.

Union membership return report 2021

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 2021 was 393,406. This represents 14.30 percent of employees in the labour force. Total union membership increased by 3 percent compared to the previous year.

Analysis

There were 133 registered unions as at 1 March 2020.

As at 31 March 2021, there are 136 registered unions in New Zealand.

Filers

By 2021, 111 unions had provided their membership returns. Of those:

  • 28 unions (25 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 percent of members were women.
  • The 10 largest unions had a combined membership of 316,628.

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 2021, 25 registered unions did not submit a return to the Registrar. Of those:

  • Ten unions had their registration cancelled or dissolved.
  • One union is in liquidation.
  • One union was incorporated in 2021 and will file their first annual return in 2022.
  • The remaining 13 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.

  2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Number of union members at 1 March 355,511 351,769 372,551 380,659 393,406
% change year-on-year -0.45 -1.05 +5.9 +2 +3
% of employees who are union members 17.2 15.7 16.31 14.29 16.99
% of employed labour force who are union members 14.0 13.29 14.01 16.41 14.30
% change in employed labour force 5.7 3.1 1.5 1.6 0.3
A graph showing the numbers of union members and non members for 2018 to 2021.

Union membership by industry and gender, 1 March 2021

Industry Female Male Another gender No gender provided *
Administrative and support services 26,026 16,142 99 0
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 521 1,747 10 0
Arts and recreation services 2,949 2,344 58 0
Construction 441 4,984 30 0
Education and training 65,838 18,708 128 0
Electricity, gas, water and waste Services 2,211 7,822 104 17
Financial and insurance services 2,745 989 4 0
Health care and social assistance 96,180 18,958 519 7,017
Information media and telecommunications 398 801 9 0
Manufacturing 8,829 25,863 580 0
Other services 7,096 10,082 182 0
Professional, scientific and technical services 595 2,862 0 0
Public administration and safety 5,333 9,365 12 0
Rental, hiring and real estate services 19 110 6 0
Transport, postal and warehousing 7,297 19,366 155 0
Mining 90 971 13 0
Retail trade 9,851 5,447 182 0
Accommodation and Food Services 333 340 32 0
Wholesale trade 226 367 3 0

* 2 unions did not provide membership by gender.

Returns from individual unions

Name of union Membership as at 1 March 2021
ALTERNATIVE STAFF GROUP INCORPORATED 105
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED NR [1]
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION NEW ZEALAND SOUTHERN INCORPORATED 3,814
AOTEAROA CORRECTIONS UNION INCORPORATED NR [2]
AOTEAROA LEGAL WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,026
AOTEAROA TECH UNION INCORPORATED NR [3]
ARA ACADEMIC STAFF OF CANTERBURY INCORPORATED 265
ASSOCIATED COUNCIL EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 67
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONALS AND EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 4,554
ASSOCIATION OF SALARIED MEDICAL SPECIALISTS INCORPORATED 5,141
AVIATION AND MARINE ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 2,425
AVIATION WORKERS UNITED INCORPORATED 14
BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 291
BORDER OPS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 119
BUREAU STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 188
CANTERBURY AND REGIONS TOTALISATOR EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR
CENTRAL AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,766
CENTRAL STAFF COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 141
CIE WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 17
COMBINED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 470
COMBINED HOSPITAL INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT UNION INCORPORATED NR [4]
CORRECTIONS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 3,480
DIRECTORS AND EDITORS GUILD OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 213
DTA STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 54
E TŪ INCORPORATED 48,624
EASTERN BAY INDEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL WORKERS UNION 1995 INCORPORATED 19
EASTERN CIVIL ENGINEERS UNION INCORPORATED NR [5]
ELECTRICAL UNION 2001 INCORPORATED NR [6]
EQUITY NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 1,032
FEATHERSTON MILL WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED 18
FIRST UNION INCORPORATED 30,554 [7]
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 82
FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 529
FREE SPEECH UNION (NEW ZEALAND) INCORPORATED 13
H H B WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 151
HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES SOCIETY INCORPORATED 100
HAWKES BAY WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR
HOSPO WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR
HUTT VALLEY SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT BUS DRIVERS INCORPORATED NR [8]
IAG NZ STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 402
INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL WORKERS UNION 1995 (INCORPORATED) 40
INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL MEDITATION TEACHERS INCORPORATED NR [9]
J BALLANTYNE STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 99
KING'S COLLEGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 95
LEGAL WORKERS UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED NR
M.E.U. SOCIETY INCORPORATED 72
MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION WORKERS UNION (INCORP. SHIPWRIGHTS,MOULDER COACHWORKERS,BOILERMAKERS,PULP & PAPER 1,687
MARITIME UNION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 2,630
MATES UNION INCORPORATED 440
MIDWIFERY EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION AND ADVISORY SERVICE INCORPORATED 1,576
NAPIER CITY COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 133 [10]
NATIONAL UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 1,219
NELSON COLLECTIVE UNION INCORPORATED NR [11]
NEW ZEALAND AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 2,655
NEW ZEALAND AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 592
NEW ZEALAND CENTRAL BAKING TRADES AND RELATED TRADES EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED 14
NEW ZEALAND DAIRY WORKERS UNION - TE RUNANGA WAI U INCORPORATED 8,211
NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE TE RIU ROA INCORPORATED 50,259
NEW ZEALAND FISHING INDUSTRY GUILD INCORPORATED 595
NEW ZEALAND FURNITURE MANUFACTURING AND ASSOCIATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 571
NEW ZEALAND MEAT WORKERS AND RELATED TRADES UNION INCORPORATED 12,312
NEW ZEALAND MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD INDUSTRIAL UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED NR [12]
NEW ZEALAND NETBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR [13]
NEW ZEALAND POLICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 11,370
NEW ZEALAND POLICE LEADERS' GUILD INCORPORATED 143
NEW ZEALAND POST-PRIMARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 19,300
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS AND TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 47
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,963
NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 181
NEW ZEALAND PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION TE PUKENGA HERE TIKANGA MAHI INCORPORATED 75,419
NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT DOCTORS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 2,463
NEW ZEALAND TRAMWAYS AND PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR [14]
NEW ZEALAND TRAMWAYS AND PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES' UNION WELLINGTON BRANCH INCORPORATED 400
NEW ZEALAND WRITERS GUILD INCORPORATED 369
NORTH ISLAND MUSSELS EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR [15]
NORTHERN AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 3,584
NORTHERN CHEMICAL WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED 1,106
NORTHERN TOTALISATOR AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 78
NUMBER ONE MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 87
NZ EMPLOYEES UNION INCORPORATED NR [16]
NZ TOUR DRIVERS UNION INCORPORATED NR [17]
OMNIBUS WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR [18]
ONE UNION INCORPORATED 40
PORTPRO INCORPORATED NR [19]
POSTAL WORKERS UNION OF AOTEAROA INCORPORATED 770
PROFESSIONAL VERIFIERS' INSTITUTE INCORPORATED 178
PROMINA GROUP STAFF ASSOCIATION NZ INCORPORATED 130
QANTAS EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 41
RAIL AND MARITIME TRANSPORT UNION INCORPORATED 5,004
REUNITED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 136
SAINT KENTIGERN TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 151
SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 0 [20]
SECONDARY PRINCIPALS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 162
SHORECARE STAFF SOCIETY INCORPORATED 56
SLGOU ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED NR [21]
SOUTHERN COASTAL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 117
SOUTHLAND ENTERPRISES UNION OF WORKERS INCORPORATED 71
SPECIALTY TRAINEES OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED 1,758
ST CUTHBERT'S COLLEGE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 112
TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 121
TASMAN STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 45
TAXPRO INCORPORATED 663
TE KUITI BEEF WORKERS UNION INCORPORATED NR [22]
TE UNIANA O NSNZ INCORPORATED 5,895
TERTIARY INSTITUTES ALLIED STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 1,336
THE AMALGAMATED STEVEDORES UNION INCORPORATED 820
THE ASSOCIATION OF MARINE PROFESSIONALS INCORPORATED 15
THE CAREGIVERS AND RELATED EMPLOYEES INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF STAFF INCORPORATED 127
THE CLUTHA DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 88
THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 559
THE FEDERATION OF AIR NEW ZEALAND PILOTS INCORPORATED 162
THE GREY DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 57
THE HAWKE'S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL STAFF UNION INCORPORATED 74
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 849
THE NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 190
THE NEW ZEALAND FIRE EMERGENCY COMMANDERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 88
THE NEW ZEALAND NURSES ORGANISATION INCORPORATED 50,658
THE NEW ZEALAND TERTIARY EDUCATION UNION TE HAUTU KAHURANGI O AOTEAROA INCORPORATED 9,921
THE PULP & PAPER WORKERS UNION - KAWERAU INCORPORATED 378
THE RIGHT UNION INCORPORATED 17
THE RUGBY PLAYERS COLLECTIVE INCORPORATED 685
THE SOUTH WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL STAFF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR [23]
THE SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED NR [24]
THE SURFSIDE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 206
THE WESTLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL UNION OF EMPLOYEES INCORPORATED 34
TIG - THE INDEPENDENT GROUP INCORPORATED NR [25]
TIG-HW INCORPORATED 82
TUIA UNION INCORPORATED 297
UNISON NETWORKS EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 32
UNITE INCORPORATED 5,316
UNITED FISHERIES WORKPLACE UNION INCORPORATED 51
WAINGAWA WORKERS' UNION INCORPORATED 50
WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 148
WHAKATANE DISTRICT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 143
WORK & INCOME NORTHLAND STAFF INCORPORATED 95
WSA INCORPORATED 94

 

Footnotes

1. Merged with Northern Amalgamated Workers Union Incorporated.

2. The associated incorporated society has been dissolved. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

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. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

5. The associated incorporated society has been dissolved. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

6. The associated incorporated society has been dissolved. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

7. The union recorded 365 members of Another Gender, of which five were recorded as Another Gender and 23 as Gender Diverse. The rest (337) did not provide their gender.

8. The union’s registration was cancelled at the request of the union on 14 June 2021.

9. The union was registered on 8 April 2021 and will submit its first membership return in 2022.

10. Out of the total number of members, 40 of the female members and 19 of the male members are bargaining fee members only.

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

16. The associated incorporated society has been dissolved. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

17. The associated incorporated society has been dissolved. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

18. The associated incorporated society is in liquidation.

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 associated incorporated society has been dissolved. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

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

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

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

25. The associated incorporated society has been dissolved. The Registrar will make an application to the Employment Relations Authority to have the union’s registration cancelled.

Related articles