Employment legislation reviews

From time to time, we review employment and accident compensation legislation. Our current and past reviews are listed on this page.

In this section

Increasing the minimum sick leave entitlement

The Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Act 2021.

Workplace relations in the screen industry

A law change is on the way for contractors working in New Zealand’s screen industry. The changes, proposed by industry and supported by Government, will see contractors allowed to bargain collectively.

Forced Labour Protocol

The Forced Labour Protocol 2014 is an international, legally-binding document that provides guidance on how to eliminate all forms of forced labour, punish offenders and protect victims, including ensuring they have access to remedies such as compensation.

Holidays Act Review

Delivering improvements to the Holidays Act is a priority for the Government.

Extending paid parental leave

The Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill was passed to extend the duration of paid parental leave to 26 weeks.

Equal Pay Amendment Act

The Equal Pay Amendment Act introduces a practical and accessible process to raise and consider claims of systemic sex-based pay undervaluation in pay in female-dominated occupations.

Law change for Easter Sunday shop trading

The Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 was amended in 2016 to enable territorial authorities to decide whether retailers in their districts can open on Easter Sunday.

Employment Standards Legislation Act

The Employment Standards Legislation Act aims to encourage fair and productive workplaces and ensure employment law responds to a dynamic business environment.

Proposed Accident Compensation Appeal Tribunal

In December 2015 we consulted on the proposed Accident Compensation Appeal Tribunal. Submissions did not support establishing a Tribunal and it was decided not to progress establishing a specialist appeal tribunal.

Accident compensation dispute resolution review

This page provides information about the implementation of recommendations from the 2015 independent review into accident compensation dispute resolution processes.

Reviewing regulated ACC payments for treatment

MBIE, in conjunction with ACC, conducts a biennial review of the Cost of Treatment Regulations.

Employment Relations Amendment Act

The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2018 gives effect to the Government’s 100-day commitments in workplace relations.

Minimum wage reviews

This page provides the Cabinet papers and regulatory impact analyses for previous reviews of the minimum wages.

Sex work in New Zealand

We are taking a proactive approach to ensure employers, facilitators of service and workers in the sex industry understand their rights and legal obligations.

Changes to the process for setting pay for Members of Parliament

The Remuneration Authority (Members of Parliament Remuneration) Amendment Act repealed the 2015 changes and restored the Remuneration Authority’s discretion to set MPs’ pay based on specified criteria.

Security officers – additional employment protections

Changes to the Employment Relations Act which provide security officers with additional employment protections came into effect on 1 July 2021.

Matariki

Anei ngā whakamārama mō te Hararei Tūmatanui hou o Matariki, me ōna mātāpono, ōna uara hoki

Information about the new Matariki public holiday, its principles and values.

Updating Accident Compensation Review Costs Regulations

MBIE is consulting on options for updating the Review Costs Regulations, which outline the costs payable to ACC claimants who seek a review of an ACC decision.

Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day

The Government has created a new one-off public holiday on 26 September 2022 to mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Review framework for list of occupational diseases

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), with support from Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), is responsible for using this review framework to support, if needed, changes to the list of occupational diseases which can be covered by ACC.

Contractor work in Aotearoa New Zealand

The Government has been considering how to provide better protections for contractors.