Current Region & Language

New Zealand

Employment in New Zealand

Updated on: April 1, 2025

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Employer Taxes

Employer contributions for KiwiSaver are generally around 3% of gross salaries.

Payroll Frequency

Monthly, fortnightly or weekly

Language

English, Maori

Date Format

DD/MM/YYYY

New Zealand By The Numbers

5.1 million

Population

NZD 300 billion

GDP

9

National Holidays

Country Information

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Weekly Working Hours

There is no statutory mandate to pay for overtime in excess of the normal work hours i.e. maximum of 40 hours a week. Paying employees for working overtime or extra shifts need to be agreed to by the emploter and the employee and included in the employment agreement.

National Holidays

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Day after New Year’s Day (January 2)
  • Waitangi Day (February 6)
  • Easter Monday (March/April)
  • Anzac Day (April 25)
  • Queen’s Birthday (first Monday in June)
  • Labour Day (fourth Monday in October)
  • Christmas (December 25)
  • Boxing Day (December 26)

Leave

Annual Leaves: All employees are entitled to 4 weeks’ paid annual leave at the end of each 12 months of continuous employment. If an employee has a fixed-term agreement of less than 12 months or works irregularly, they may agree to receive 8% of their gross earnings as leave pay with regular pay instead of the standard 4 weeks of annual leave. ICs are not entitled to annual leaves.

Primary career leave: Allowed up to 26 weeks for primary career of the child for both adopted children below age 6 and biological children, subject to 6-month or 12-month employment test.

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 dependents.

Bereavement leave: 3 days per bereavement

Family Violence leave: Eligible employees are entitled to up to 10 days of paid leave each year if they, or a child who lives with them, experience family violence.

Employment Contracts

Yes. Employment contracts must be in writing and mention the specific details required by the law.

Types of Employment

Employees and Independent Contractors

Employment Costs

ACC Work Levy – rates will vary by business
ACC Working Safer Levy – $0.08 per $100 of payroll or income
KiwiSaver Employer contribution – 3% (if applicable to the employee)

IC Class Factors

Multi factor test encompassing factors such as IC discretion ( control vs independence), economic reality, employment relationship, integration and intention.

Labor Leasing

Labor hire license is not required. Unless, the labour hire company is planning to work in the construction sector. However, for migrant recruitment an entity must have Triangular Accreditation for AEWV.

Minimum Wage Requirements

The adult minimum wage rate for employees aged 16 years or older is $23.15 NZD per hour before tax.

Medical Benefits

None

Probationary Periods

There is no legally mandated probation period. It is left to the Employer’s Discretion. Employers can also choose to include a 90 day trial period in the employment contract.

Termination Notice

The notice period is typically outlined in the employment agreement, depending on the role 2 to 4 weeks’ notice is often fair and reasonable, though it can vary by industry and position. Employers may pay in lieu of notice or place the employee on garden leave, if allowed by the employment agreement.

Severance

Whether employees receive redundancy payments is dependent on the applicable employment agreements and is a matter for negotiation between the parties. However, all employees whose employment is ending due to redundancy must be given notice in accordance with their employment agreement.

Pre-hire Checks

Immigration checks may be required to prove the right to work in New Zealand and are permitted with the applicant’s consent.

Criminal record and background checks may be required, depending on the industry and the job role and are permitted with applicant’s consent and subject to relevant discrimination laws. Credit checks can be done when there is significant financial risk associated with job.

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