About 1700 midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a pay equity deal. Photo: 123RF
An agreement has been reached between the government and midwives over a proposed pay equity settlement.
About 1700 midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on the proposal, which was agreed to by the Nurses Organisation and the Midwifery union.
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall said the pay deal reflects the vital and valued care provided.
"Addressing historical pay inequities for our midwives is a key priority for this government, and I am extremely pleased this proposed settlement has been agreed with the unions," said Verrall in a statement.
"Paying our midwives to reflect the vital and valued care they provide to our communities is long overdue, and I'm delighted that an agreement to settle the claim is ready to take out for approval."
The salary for a graduate midwife would increase to $76,235, while the top rate for a Core Midwife would be $100,862, and for senior midwives the rates would range from $106,810 to $153,060.
The proposed settlement also includes a further lump sum payment of up to $15,000.
Caroline Conroy, co-leader of Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Services or MERAS, the midwives union, said midwives will soon take up the deal offer.
"It's been five years since the pay equity process, to address historical sex-based undervaluation, commenced for hospital employed midwives," she said in a statement.
"Te Whatu Ora employed midwives will now consider and vote on the offer."
Conroy said MERAS would not make any other comment until midwives voted on the offer.
Voting closes on 6 October.
Midwives have protested their conditions several times in recent years including actions at Parliament.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone