The Government's pushed their new pay equity changes through - and it's prompted some noticeable backlash.

The Bill, halting pay equity claims and raising the threshold to lodge a claim based on gender discrimination, passed this week under urgency.

Hundreds of protestors turned up outside Ministerial offices around the country in opposition.

NZ Herald political reporter Jamie Ensor says these changes left Kiwis feeling 'blindsided' - and it felt like a 'perfect storm' making these changes so close to the Budget.

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• Watch: Luxon holds press conference after delivering pre-Budget speech
• Hundreds of thousands of workers likely to be hit by pay equity changes