2026 Budget and the State of Care Work w/ National Secretary of E Tū Rachel Mackintosh: 9 June, 2026

Two weeks ago, the 2026 Budget revealed the government’s spending and funding plan. Notably absent, however, is support for care workers, except for a minor boost to mileage rates while the fuel crisis is ongoing. The E Tū union, however, has said that these changes do little to match the inflated costs, and still leaves support and care workers woefully unsupported in the midst of an already struggling health system. Host Alex spoke with the National Secretary of E Tū, Rachel Mackintosh, about the state of care work in NZ, and what this budget means for the priority given to care work by the government.