Our vision, value, and mission

Every tech worker deserves:

• Fair and reasonable working conditions, including (but not limited to) flexible working hours, meaningful leave coverage, and clear policies on overtime
• Career support, and unbiased information on salary and pay throughout their entire career
• A voice to government and media that represents their interests without fear of upsetting employers
• An advocate who can provide support if things go wrong

Technology jobs are a vital part of our Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic future. Let’s make sure our sector is one we can all be proud of. If you work in a tech job or for a technology company, we are here for YOU.

Our history

Aotearoa Tech Union (ATU) was formed in 2018 to support workers in technology-associated roles and organisations, and to advocate for their common benefit regardless of who they work for and whether they work full-time, part-time, as a freelance contractor, or as an intern or student.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s union movement has a long history of leading the way in improving work conditions, and we believe we can do the same for the technology sector. By providing a voice for tech workers and guidance for employers, we can make the tech sector one where all people can thrive.

The present

Since it's founding, the ATU offered an unusual degree of member support directly by the committee; over the years the expectations from a small percentage of incoming members has pushed this further and further to the point where we were unable to keep up with routine member requests, and then even unable to fulfill member requests at all. Over the years this has been a prime cause of burnout among the committee, and has proven to be unsustainable.

So, we are making the unofficial end of member support official. A lot of people did a lot of good work, helping many members through some tough situations, but it didn't move the needle on the industry as we hoped it would. So we have to try something else. In 2023 and 2024 we have already made a start on some of that, and without member support like an albatross around our neck, we feel optimistic about achieving much more in the year to come.