MyHR Blog

New leave legislation to replace the Holidays Act

The government has introduced the Employment Leave Bill to parliament. The bill will replace the Holidays Act 2003 and aims to simplify the accrual, use, and payment of employee leave, especially

The Employment Relations Act Amendment Bill: New changes passed into law in 2026

Employers need to be aware of significant changes to employment regulations now the Employment Relations Act Amendment Bill has passed into law (on 21 February 2026).

Preparing for rises to the minimum wage

The government has announced a 2% increase to the national minimum wage, raising it to $23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026.

New law protects employees who talk about their pay

Employees who discuss or disclose their salaries or wages have increased protection from adverse treatment, under a change to Employment Relations Act.

Reinstating pay deductions for partial strikes

Employers are now legally entitled to deduct employee pay in response to partial strikes, following the passing of the Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill.

Wage theft is now a crime

Intentionally failing to pay employees is now a crime, after a Bill to amend the Crimes Act was given royal assent on 13 March 2025.

Proposed law change to make it easier to dismiss staff

A private member’s bill introduced to parliament in November 2024 seeks to change the Employment Relations Act to allow employers to initiate negotiations with employees to end the employment

Personal grievances: New income cap for unjustified dismissal claims

The government has announced proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act that will set a $180,000 income cap for pursuing unjustified dismissal personal grievances - something we haven’t seen

Personal grievances: Change to increase scrutiny of employee conduct

The government has announced a proposed update to the Employment Relations Act that will give more weight to an employee’s behaviour when awarding remedies for personal grievance claims.

Government wants feedback on work health and safety system

The government wants to hear about people’s experiences with New Zealand’s work health and safety regulatory system: how it’s working, what works well, and what could be improved.