Ethnic and Gender Pay Gaps

Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work (“equal pay”). This has now been extended to equal pay for work of equal value (“pay equity”). However, ethnic and gender pay gaps stubbornly persist. This lecture puts the complex and interconnected reasons for these pay gaps under the legal microscope. It will share the recent findings of the Pacific Pay Gap Inquiry, discuss pay transparency recommendations, and examine other related proposals aimed at closing pay gaps for all peoples throughout the country.

Simon Schofield is a professional teaching fellow at the University of Auckland Law School and currently lectures torts, employment law, advanced employment law, and local government law. Simon gained his qualifications at the University of Canterbury and began his career working as an employment advocate. He then worked as a solicitor and then as an associate. While in practice, Simon advised on, and acted in relation to, the full gamut of employment law issues. Simon has a particular interest in researching complex legal matters and enjoys staying up to date with the latest employment law developments. He has written widely on employment law, is the editor of the Wolters Kluwer’s New Zealand Employment Law Guide and is a contributing author to Mazengarb's Employment Law by LexisNexis.