Common employment issues
General queries
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.30pm excluding public holidays.
Note: We can't interpret employment agreements, provide legal advice or bring personal grievances on your behalf. For legal advice, please consult a lawyer or visit your local community law centres.
In New Zealand you can call us on 0800 20 90 20.
If you are outside New Zealand you can call us on +64 9 969 2950.
Languages other than English
You can use a free telephone interpreting service called Connecting Now. Interpreters are available for over 180 different languages.
Call us after 9.00am, ask for Connecting Now and tell us which language you speak. Hold the line and we'll get an interpreter within a couple of minutes.
Deaf or hearing impaired
If you are deaf or hearing impaired, after 9.00am we can use the Video Relay Service to provide information.
New Zealand Relay (external link)
Early Resolution
Early Resolution is a free phone-based service that helps resolve a workplace issue early, quickly and informally.
Media queries
For queries from the media, please email the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) media line.
Official Information Act requests
Before requesting official information please check our website. What you are looking for may already be available online.
Requesting information from the government — Govt.nz (external link)
Official Information Act requests — MBIE (external link)
Strikes and lockout notices
You must send strike or lockout records and notifications to MBIE.
Work Stoppages
Employment Services
Business Advisory Services
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
PO Box 1473
15 Stout Street
Wellington 6011
Collective employment agreements
After collective bargaining negotiations are complete you must send us a signed PDF copy of the ratified agreement and any other document referred to or incorporated into the collective agreement (unless publicly available). You can send these using the Workplace Online Portal, or by email or post:
Workplace Online Portal (external link)
employmentagreements@mbie.govt.nz
Employment Services
Regulatory and Advisory Services Team
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
PO Box 1473
Wellington 6011
Pay equity
You can use the Workplace Online Portal (external link) to:
- submit a pay equity settlement
- submit pay equity comparator information
- request pay equity comparator information
Or by emailing them to administratorpayequitydata@mbie.govt.nz.
Employment Services
Regulatory and Advisory Services Team
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
PO Box 1473
Wellington 6011
Mediation and Records of Settlement
If you would like to comment on your mediation, please email us.
If you would like help to complete an application for mediation, contact us on 0800 20 90 20 or email us at the address above.
If you cannot submit online, you can post paper applications or records of settlement to either our Auckland or Wellington PO Box. Alternatively, you can hand deliver to the physical addresses below. Offices are open 8.30am–4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Request mediation or submit a Record of Settlement (external link)
Mediation Services Auckland
PO Box 92061, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142
Kordia House, 162 Victoria Street West, Auckland, 1010.
Mediation Services Wellington
PO Box 10 413, Wellington 6143
Level 1, 205 Victoria Street ,Te Aro, Wellington 6011.
Workplace health and safety queries
For any queries about workplace health and safety please contact WorkSafe New Zealand.
Contact us — WorkSafe New Zealand (external link)
Migrant exploitation
Migrant workers have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealand workers. You can report it to us if you or someone you know is being exploited in the workplace.
Immigration queries
For any queries about immigration or work visas please contact Immigration New Zealand.
Contact us — Immigration New Zealand (external link)
Tax and KiwiSaver queries
For any queries about taxes or KiwiSaver please contact Inland Revenue.
Contact us — Inland Revenue (external link)
Mail and courier deliveries
Our addresses for mail and courier deliveries.
Mail deliveries
Employment New Zealand
PO Box 1473
Wellington 6140
Courier deliveries
Employment New Zealand
15 Stout Street
Wellington 6011