Blindspot Busters

So, I haven’t written here for a bit. I have had a tough few weeks. The ongoing custody battle was taking its toll, so I decided to take a short reprieve in Gisborne. Unfortunately while I was here the government turned around and decided to pass legislation that essentially sets woman’s rights backwards a few dozen decades.

It’s been a while since I’ve been in Gizzy, but it truly is like returning home. And while at home, feeling the devastation of this blow, I had to do something. I called my Dad’s old union E Tu and asked who was in charge of the Gizzy league of the national pay equity protests. They said no one. I said me.

And that was how I ended up participating in a ‘citizen’s arrest’ photo shoot early in the morning on Saturday 10 May 2025.

My Dad was heavily involved in the union during the big NZ Post negotiations around 2012. Google would probably supply better information about that. To understand a bit of my activism work around mental health – here is a HQSC Pono video I participated in.

For those who are not up with what has been happening there are some great recaps at every news outlet in New Zealand, but so it is on record, here is my understanding of the issues:

• The current sitting government rushed through legislation that essentially means NZ woman are unable to fight effectively for pay equity.
• This legislation came into effect retroactively, so 33 cases that were being reviewed for pay equity were thrown out of court and now have to reapply.
• The government’s own MPs were only given 2 days notice about this legislation that was rushed through under urgency.
• Nicola Willis has commented that this legislation had to be passed in urgency to ensure that the claims focused on pay equity and not other issues. I am pretty keen to know what these ‘other issues’ are…

So, the list of people who have had all of their hard work completely disrespected by the government, are in this list below:

On Saturday 10 May, the wahine of Gisborne met outside the council offices, before moving to the suffragette statue for speeches. There were speeches delivered by:

• Me – Nicola Peeperkoorn, daughter of Allan Peeperkoorn, who represented the posties through E Tu (formally EMPU) for the NZ Post negotiations
• Margaret Takoko – Representative from PSA
• Monique Behan-kitto – Representative from E Tu
• Jo Luxton – Labour Party MP

Following this, we walked to Ballance Street, where we set up on the corner to get attention. Finally I recorded another video outside Dana’s office, where our crime scene tape from the morning was still present.

On Sunday 11 May, I recorded the following ask and posted it online:

My name is Nicola Jane Peeperkoorn. My father was Allan Adrianus Gemma Peeperkoorn. I organised the Pay Equity Protest in Gisborne.

I am shocked and appalled by the actions of the current government. I would like to see proof that the government is taking its people seriously. As such I propose:

1. For all 33 cases to be given the opportunity to present their stories to the members of parliament that changed the legislation without consultation. The least you can do is listen to the people most adversely impacted by your rash decision making.

2. For the Blindspot Busters trial to take over police mental health callouts to be seriously considered before the budget is released. At present this initiative is budgeted at 2.8million. If you can find half, I will find the other half from the people.

3. For Dana Kirkpatrick to attend a meeting at Gisborne city council where ten representatives will present the questions to government from the wahine of Gisborne.

If you are unable to provide an adequate response to this proposal, we will take control of all the sitting government’s offices on Saturday 24 May.

If you will not listen to the people and give us something to show you are taking us seriously, we will show you how serious we are.

We would prefer a peaceful transition. To ensure peace, you need to show you are willing to provide the people a genuine seat at the table.

OUR TRAUMA IS NOT YOUR CLICKBAIT. WE ARE NOT SUFFERING FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT. WE ARE COMING.

#blindspotbusters #leatherjacketlegacy #PayEquityNow

What are your thoughts on this? Has anyone you know been impacted by this legislation change? I would love to hear from you, please leave a comment or reach out on socials @nikkijaynenz