What works in New Zealand

New Zealand has implemented several targeted equity and access programmes. A NZD 2 billion pay equity settlement for 55,000 care and support workers raised wages by 15–50% (21% for minimum-wage workers), marking the country's first major pay-equity initiative. Digital inclusion efforts include the Marae Digital Connectivity Programme, which connected 676 of 877 eligible marae to broadband by recent government reporting, and Skinny Jump, which reached 31,776 active connections at NZD $5 per 35 GB. The Free Period Products in Schools Programme distributed over 600,000 packs in its first year across 2,100+ schools, addressing period poverty that had previously caused an estimated 95,000 students to miss school.