Whaea Georgina won the Union Women’s Award, which the Council gives to those who have made outstanding contributions to their unions and in advancing union women’s issues.
Georgina has a long history of addressing sexism and racism in her workplaces and unions, while forming the Student Teachers’ Association, working as a kindergarten teacher, and at the Education Review Office.
A key advocate
Georgina has been a key advocate for wāhine Māori workers in the wider public service, beyond her own workplace and her own union.
As a claimant in the PSA’s Mana Wāhine Waitangi Tribunal claim, Georgina argued that the government’s
treatment of wāhine Māori within the public service was a breach of Te Tiriti. She worked with younger wāhine to develop the next level of leaders and ensure that the claim represented a full range of experiences.
Georgina continually challenges the PSA to improve its governance structures to ensure Māori voice is a
key part of the organisation. As Kuia to the PSA, she provides manaaki and tautoko with her knowledge and
guidance on Tikanga Māori and her wealth of experience working in the Education Sector.
Closing the pay gap
Georgina sits on Te Whakapiri, the oversight group for Kia Toipoto – the government’s pay gap action plan. Here she does important work to push to end gender and ethnic discrimination in the public service. The work she has been part of has seen the gender and Māori pay gaps fall by almost half in the public service.
Georgina’s work pushing her workplaces, her unions, and the wider public service to honour Te Tiriti, end discrimination, and give meaning to tino rangatiratanga has helped build a better union movement and made a significant impact on workers.
The philosophy behind the Union Women’s Award is to support and promote the work of individuals and groups who have shown a commitment to working women’s issues.
Recipients are recognised for actions beyond their regular duties, national or international recognition of their activities, and ground-breaking or unique work in their area of responsibility.
Georgina is thoroughly deserving of this award. Congratulations Georgina and thank you for all your mahi.
