The Public Service Commissioner is suggesting unions are striking to get it out of their system.
At least 100,000 workers in health, education and public service are walking off the job tomorrow, protesting pay and conditions.
Some picketing's moving indoors and some rallies cancelled in Wellington and Canterbury - with extreme bad weather looming.
Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says despite him being willing, unions haven't stepped up to negotiate for the most of the past two weeks.
"It just seems to me, based on my engagement with the unions, that they had to do this for reasons that escape me. I think it was all avoidable, it's extremely regrettable."
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