In 2006 nurses campaigned for pay parity within the profession. Hospital nurses were higher-paid than those who worked in general practices – in 2006 they had a top rate of $24 an hour, compared with $21. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation, the union representing both groups, argued that it would become increasingly difficult to recruit practice nurses unless the rates were equalised. This group of Dunedin practice nurses and NZNO organiser Lorraine Lobb (in front) are marking a ‘Seeing red’ day of protest over the issue in 2006. Practice nurses won an increase that moved them closer to the hospital nurses’ rate.