New Zealand Employment Law Guide

New Zealand operates under a relatively protective employment framework governed primarily by the Employment Relations Act 2000 and the Holidays Act 2003.

Core Entitlements

By law, all full-time and part-time employees are entitled to:

• Annual Leave: 4 weeks of paid annual holidays after 12 months of continuous employment.
• Public Holidays: 12 statutory public holidays. If worked, the employee must be paid time-and-a-half (1.5x) and given an alternative day off (a "day in lieu").
• Sick Leave: 10 days of paid sick leave per year, available after 6 months of employment.
• Bereavement Leave: 3 days for immediate family, 1 day for other recognized bereavements.
• Rest Breaks: Specific paid rest breaks and unpaid meal breaks based on the hours worked.

90-Day Trial Periods

As of late 2023, the government reinstated 90-day trial periods for all employers (previously restricted to businesses with fewer than 20 staff). If a valid 90-day trial period is included in the employment agreement and signed before the employee starts work, the employer can dismiss the employee within that period without the employee being able to raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal.

Minimum Wage

New Zealand has one of the highest minimum wages relative to its median wage in the OECD. It is reviewed annually. There are specific lower rates for "Starting-out" workers (16-19 year olds under specific conditions) and trainees.