Nau mai, haere mai Welcome to Employment NZ
- Public holidays and anniversary dates
- Taking sick leave
- Minimum wage rates and types
- Rest and breaks
- Taking parental leave
- Leave and holidays
- Taking bereavement leave
- Free learning modules
Services, tools and resources
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Everyone
Mediation
If an employment issue cannot be resolved informally by the parties themselves, mediation may help them to reach an agreement.
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Everyone
Early resolution
Early resolution is a free, impartial phone-based service that helps employers and employees resolve a workplace issue quickly and informally.
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Everyone
Migrant exploitation
Migrant workers have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealand workers. If you, or someone you know, is being exploited in the workplace, you can report it to us.
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Everyone
Labour Inspectorate complaints
You can complain to the Labour Inspectorate if you see or suspect a breach of employment standards.
Holidays Act reform
Find out more about proposed changes to the Holidays Act.
Popular topics
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Everyone
Public holidays and anniversary dates
Employees have minimum rights that apply to public holidays.
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Everyone
Sick leave
Eligible employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave each year so they can care for themselves, their partners or their dependants.
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Everyone
Minimum wage
Minimum wage rates apply to all employees aged 16 and over.
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Everyone
Rest and breaks
Employees must be paid rest and unpaid meal breaks. The number and duration will depend on the hours worked. Women who breastfeed or express milk can have extra breaks and facilities where practical.
Latest news
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Minimum wage is increasing on 1 April 2025. Are you ready?
As a business owner or manager, you need to be ready for the minimum wage rates increase from 1 April 2025.
- Minimum wage
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Kiwifruit labour company and director penalised $100,000 for underpaying workers
A labour supply company to the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty and its sole director have been penalised a total of $100,000 by the Employment Relations Authority after being found to have underpaid 3 employees over several years.
- Legal case
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MBIE teams visit dozens of Hanmer Springs businesses in compliance crackdown
Teams from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) visited 26 Hanmer Springs hospitality and retail businesses following complaints of potential migrant exploitation.
- Migrant exploitation
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Dairy owners must pay $16,000 in penalties for employment breaches
A Piopio dairy and its owners must pay $16,000 in penalties after the Employment Relations Authority found them liable for 21 breaches of minimum employment standards which impacted migrant employees.
- Migrant exploitation