Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo

Guest writer

Saunoamaalalii K Sumeo previously served as equal employment opportunities commissioner at Te Kahui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission, where she campaigned to end pay secrecy, and led inquiries into Pacific and ethnic pay gaps, bullying and harassment in the workplace and the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme. Sumeo works as a private consultant and is the Pacific adviser to the People's Select Committee.

Pacific workers dominate in aged care, support work, cleaning, disability services and school support roles, all sectors that had pay equity claims cancelled (Photo: Getty Images)

How the pay equity ‘reset’ erased years of progress for Pacific communities

Pacific women, who earn just 75 cents for every dollar earned by a Pākehā man, will bear the brunt of the cancelled pay equity claims.

By Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo | 14th January, 2026

Tributes to Grace Millane at the roundabout in Titirangi, Auckland (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Grace Millane’s death reminds us of the violence so many women in NZ face

The shameful culture of violence against women in New Zealand must urgently change, writes the Women’s Rights Commissioner

By Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo | 11th December, 2018