Employment Law

A recent Employment Relations Authority determination provides a useful reminder that an employer’s obligations cannot be separated into neat compartments. Payroll compliance, workplace conduct and disciplinary decision-making may arise from different events, but each can influence whether the employer’s actions are ultimately found to be fair and reasonable. In April v Coatrite Fire Ltd, the …

A costly dismissal: What employers can learn from April v Coatrite Fire Ltd Read More »

The enactment of the Employment Leave Act 2026 (“Act”) marks the most substantial redesign of New Zealand’s statutory leave framework in more than two decades. The Act received Royal Assent on 6 August 2026. It will come into force on 6 August 2028, when it will repeal and replace the Holidays Act 2003. The new …

The Holidays Act is being replaced: What employers need to know Read More »

New Zealand’s employment law framework has undergone significant reform, with the introduction of the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 (“Act”). Section 2 of the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 confirms that the Act came into force on 21 February 2026, and has reshaped how businesses manage contractor relationships, senior employees, and employment processes. Central to these …

Employment law changes: Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 Read More »

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill (“Bill”) received royal assent on 9 July 2026. The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026 (“HSWAA 2026”) implements amendments to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (“HSWA 2015”). The HSWAA comes into force on 1 April 2027, with the exception of the Approved …

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015’s biggest overhaul in over a decade Read More »

What is a Performance Improvement Plan? The term ‘Performance Improvement Plan’ — or PIP — is now widely recognised by both employers and employees. In today’s fast paced and constantly evolving workplaces, employers increasingly expect staff to perform consistently and add value. But while the concept of a PIP may be familiar to some, the …

Performance Improvement Plans: turning problems into progress Read More »

On 17 November 2025, in a majority decision, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Uber’s appeal, confirming that the four Uber drivers who brought the proceedings were employees, not independent contractors. This brings an end to this dispute which has been ongoing since 2021, and in which Uber has now been unsuccessful in each of the …

The real relationship revealed: Uber drivers’ employment status confirmed by the Supreme Court Read More »

Significant changes to employment law are one step closer, with the Government introducing the Employment Relations Amendment Bill to Parliament on 17 June 2025. This Bill sets out the changes flagged by the Government earlier this year, and provides further detail as to how those changes will work.  The Bill still needs to go through …

Employment Relations Amendment Bill: big changes for employment law Read More »

This article was published for the Bay of Plenty Times, Friday 14 February 2025 It seems like with every change of government comes the inevitable slew of changes to employment law. The Act Party’s focus on employment law reform has made this truism even truer for the Coalition Government. Big changes have already been made.  …

A change is as good as a rest break: proposed employment law changes in 2025 Read More »