Unions say nothing will change when it comes to the gender pay gap unless change is enacted.

Statistics New Zealand figures show the difference between what men and women earn increased 19 percent in the year to June.

It's now just under 12 percent.

Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sam Huggard isn't surprised.

"I think we're just seeing the ongoing effects of a group of a significant number of industries where women as active workers are being undervalued in terms of their wages and their pay, so unless we take some proactive steps to address it we'll likely see the same results next year and the year after."

The CTU is part of the Pay Equity Challenge Coalition which holds regular events around the country calling for change.

Huggard said people are getting sick of the idea that women are paid less, just because of their gender.

He said there has been action in the form of an historic court case and midwives' legal push for higher pay "and a bunch of other community groups are stepping up their activity and campaigns on it ... it does feel to me like an issue whose time has come really."