The Deputy Prime Minister says health and education unions need to be realistic about their pay demands.

Tens of thousands of workers across health and education are walking off the job today today in their fight for better pay and conditions.

It could be the largest strike action in the country in a generation, but a number of events are expected to be affected by the weather.

David Seymour told Mike Hosking that there isn't a single member of the Cabinet who wouldn't like to pay nurses, doctors and teachers more, if they could.

He says there seems to be a disconnect between what some of these unions are demanding, and the reality most New Zealanders are actually facing.

LISTEN ABOVE