Your Employment Rights Under NZ Law
New Zealand employees are protected by the Employment Relations Act 2000 and the Holidays Act 2003. These apply to almost everyone working in NZ — permanent, fixed-term, and casual employees.
Minimum Wage (2024)
| Category | Rate (from 1 April 2024) |
|----------|--------------------------|
| Adult minimum wage | $23.15 per hour |
| Starting-out wage | $18.52 per hour |
| Training minimum wage | $18.52 per hour |
Your employer cannot pay you below these rates — it is illegal.
Leave Entitlements
After 12 months of continuous employment, you are entitled to:
You are entitled to 11 public holidays per year, paid if they fall on a day you would normally work.
90-Day Trial Periods
Employers with 19 or fewer employees can include a 90-day trial period in an employment agreement. During the trial, the employer can dismiss you without you being able to raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal — but the trial must be:
If these conditions aren't met, the trial period is invalid and you have full employment protection from day one.
Unjustified Dismissal
Your employer must have a substantive and procedurally fair reason to dismiss you. They must:
If they don't, you can raise a personal grievance within 90 days of the dismissal.
Raising a Personal Grievance
A personal grievance is a formal complaint to your employer about:
Step 1: Raise it with your employer in writing within 90 days.
Step 2: If unresolved, apply to Employment Mediation Services (free, run by MBIE).
Step 3: If still unresolved, take it to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).
Remedies can include reinstatement, lost wages, and compensation for humiliation.
Redundancy Rights
There is no minimum redundancy payment required by law in NZ unless your employment agreement specifies one. However, your employer must:
If the redundancy process is not genuine or fair, you can raise a personal grievance.
Key Contacts
LexNZ provides legal information only — not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a registered NZ employment lawyer or your local Community Law Centre.