Several of the world's weathiest countries also lay claim to a title they would not be so proud of - the biggest gaps between rich and poor.

John Key laid down a challenge to teachers yesterday - sacrifice part of a pay rise so school support staff can have one.

The number of work stoppages so far this year is well down on a year earlier.

Bus drivers are probably underpaid but the time is not right to bring them into line with workers in similar occupations, ERA says.

It's been a tough week for Auckland's public transport and commuters. Both sides talk to the Herald about the impact of the dispute.

Top public servants received substantial pay rises in the past year, while there was also a big jump in civil servants earning over $100,000.

Auckland's main bus fleet is due back on the roads, but a week-long lockout of drivers has left community leaders seething over damage to the credibility of public transport.

NZ Bus and the drivers' unions will continue industrial talks tomorrow, but bus services will resume after seven days of disruptions.

Locked-out Auckland bus drivers meet this morning to consider a third-party recommendation on settling their five-month pay dispute.

An ultimatum to NZ Bus from the ARC may have worsened the dispute with its drivers, NZ Bus's general manager says.

The Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee delivers an ultimatum to the bus company at the centre of the industrial dispute - either fix it up or lose your contract.

A Nelson cabbie has been denied compensation after being stood down for refusing to wear a uniform that reminded him of a childhood spent under Nazi occupation.