Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms NZ parliament paycut

The NZ Prime Minister shows she cares and understands.
Extract from Canberra times Australia

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that her cabinet will take a 20 per cent pay cut for the next six months to reflect the tough economic conditions during the COVID-19 crisis.

"I absolutely accept this is not going to change the government books but for us it's about leadership," she said.

"It's an acknowledgement of the hit many New Zealanders are taking right now."

The pay cut will effect every minister, as well as chief executives within the public service.


Upon being informed of the decision, Simon Bridges, the leader of the opposition, also volunteered for the haircut.

Ms Ardern is one of the highest-paid world leaders, taking home an annual wage of $NZ470,000.

The six-month reduction means she will forgo roughly $47,000 from her pay.

"We felt 20 per cent was the right place ... it's just an acknowledgement that we could make as leaders," she said.

Jacinda Ardern does seem to be an admirable politician; she comes across as intelligent, sensitive and in touch.

Sorry guys,

Looks like the Canberra Times needs a mathematician, 20% pay cut would be $94,000 for the Prime Minister. Let’s hope they are it doing any work for the Australian Government 😤

It was a privilege to visit NZ this January and the respect she has versus our lot was clear.
I can't see the UK lot or Emperor Trump doing this.

Well done to her.

I have to say I did wonder about that - 10% that becomes more of a gesture than a sacrifice at her level although those lower on the chain may feel it is plenty!

I thought that before I re-read the article.

20% pay cut over 6 months......so 47 000

She is very impressive with her intelligence, articulation and genuinely in touch aura the last politician we had of this stature was John Smith whom sadly passed away and we were then foisted with Tony Liar Blair.

John Smith RIP on Iona.

Since the NZ tax in income over $70,000 is 33% that means that she is actually sacrificing 6.7% of her annual salary. It is nothing more than a token. More a public relations stunt than any real sacrifice.

I'm sure she has a higher cost of living than the average worker but a 50% cut in her annual salary would be more realistic and not subject her to any real hardship.

She may be a wonderful politician but like all politicians she is living off the backs of the taxpayer; a sort of symbiotic parasite.

She's a leader not a dictator and as such has the common touch to carry the country with her.
The tangerine ape in the US should look long and hard, perhaps BJ could learn a few lessons, NZ ministers award themselves a pay reduction, ours get an expenses increase.

Emperor Trump was at his best last night. Thank god NY state has such a composed governor.