Labour Day weekend a chance to reflect

Labour Day is on Monday. The annual last long weekend of the year for most New Zealanders (Canterbury has Show Day on Friday 13 November). It is a chance to reflect on our rights as workers, the progress we have made over the last 180 years.

Samuel Parnell and Labour Day

Labour Day came about after a man named Samuel Duncan Parnell, with the help of other workers went on strike over work conditions.

He met George Hunter, who was also emigrating to New Zealand. The latter was a shipping agent, who would later be Store Master General of the New Zealand Company, and Mayor of Wellington. Mr Hunter wanted Mr Parnell to build a store for him. Mr Parnell agreed to do with the condition that he only work 8 hours per day, which Mr Hunter was reluctant to agree to. This led to Mr Parnell’s famous argument of logic of “eight hours work, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest”. Mr Hunter, clearly assuming that British work culture would spread to the isles, pointed out to Mr Parnell that his terms were quite different from London.

“We are not in London”, came the response, whereupon Mr Hunter had to accept his terms.

Following this, Mr Parnell would greet all new arrivals on ships. He would tell them not to work more than 8 hours a day. Mr Parnell worked with others at meetings to ensure that workers understood the reasoning behind the 8 hour day, and to enable the message to spread.

The 2026 election

As we approach the 2026 election this weekend is a time to ask yourself as workers which party best suits you. Do you want National and A.C.T. removing collective rights? Or what about restoration of pay equity by Labour and the Greens?

Two things that I believe will cost National female and worker votes this year, are:

• The removal of pay equity through a law change under urgency last year
• Employment law reforms pushed through by former A.C.T. Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden –

So, when you wake up on Monday morning, take a moment to reflect on what rights you have. And what you do not. Last, but not least, be grateful for the work of people like Samuel Duncan Parnell. And everyone who has advocated for worker rights ever since.