‘The struggle is real’: Resene workers demand fair pay

Workers at Resene’s Naenae paint-manufacturing store are urging the company to pay a living wage and are receiving support from community groups across the Wellington region.

Currently, most of those involved in the campaign earn slightly above the minimum wage of $23.50 an hour, but they are calling for a pay rate of $27.80.

Margaret ‘Mags’ Jackson, who has worked at Resene for 11 years, says she and her colleagues are frustrated by their pay rate.

“Without a living wage, I find myself working 50 hours a week just to make ends meet… it becomes a need, not a choice.”

Speaking to Inangaro Vakaafi on Island Time, Jackson says many locals have a longstanding connection with the Naenae factory.

“A lot of people are second-generation employees there, and there will no doubt be third-generation workers.

“So, let's give respect to the workers who are there, the ones who have moved on and the current and future.”

The Living Wage is calculated to ensure that workers and their families can afford basic necessities.

Nia Bartley, Etū Executive Board Central Regional Representative, says the campaign by Resene workers is long overdue.

Watch the full interview with Etū Executive Board Central Regional Rep Nia Bartley and Etū delegate Margaret Jackson below.

“The living wage will make a difference so people can actually live a good life. And they're not able to at present. The struggle is real.”

Bartley tells Vakaafi that Pacific and Māori workers often occupy labour-intensive roles but remain underpaid.

“Normally, in very labour-dominated jobs, these jobs happen to be underutilised with regards to pay and resources, and it's unfair.”

No response from management

There has been no response from Resene's management. Established in 1946, the Resene Group employs 1000 people.

Campaign leaders are urging the company’s leadership to meet directly with the workers, but their emails have gone unanswered. Bartley challenges the owner, Nick Nightingale, to engage with them.

“Come and meet your hard loyal workers who are helping produce the product. And then we can talk going forward from there.”

The Resene store in Botany, Auckland. Photo/Website

Lillian Pak, a Living Wage spokesperson, says in a statement that they have been “completely ignored”.

“Resene is a family-owned business, yet by not paying the Living Wage, it’s certainly not looking after the families of its own workers.”

Towards the end of 2024, Mike Durkin - Resene’s chief financial officer - told the NZ Herald that the company’s profit margins were under pressure due to “increased costs for wages”. But he does not want to move paint manufacturing offshore.

“We’re a Wellington-based company, we’re a family company, we’re private, and we support 1000 families, and we’re going to continue to do so.

“We’ve got no intention of moving. We just roll with the punches.”

A public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 May at St Bernadette’s Hall from 6pm.

Supporters can learn more through the Living Wage for Resene Facebook page.