News and releases

The Workplace Relations and Safety Minister has announced that the adult minimum wage will be rising to $20.00 per hour from 1 April 2021.

The Government is moving to better protect security guards’ pay and conditions by adding them to Schedule 1A of the Employment Relations Act. 

The Government has announced it will introduce a Bill to Parliament to increase employees’ minimum entitlement to sick leave from five days, to 10 days.

Changes to the Equal Pay Act come into effect today, establishing a practical and accessible process to raise and consider pay equity claims.

The Government is putting in place a range of immigration policy changes to help fill labour shortages in the horticulture and viticulture industries while ensuring New Zealanders, who have lost jobs due to COVID-19, have the chance to find new employment.

The Government has established class exceptions for border entry for a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crew, as well as agricultural and horticultural machinery operators.

Bullying and harassment (including sexual harassment) at work are complex problems, which can have significant impacts on workers, businesses, wider community, and the economy.

Parliament has voted to pass the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, which lays out a simple and accessible process to raise and consider claims of systemic sex-based pay discrimination in female-dominated workforces.

The Government is establishing 15 independent Regional Skills Leadership Groups to better manage changing skills and workforce needs in our regions and cities and to support the recovery of labour markets.

New Zealand remains in Alert Level 4 and all New Zealanders should continue to stay home to save lives. Only businesses that are essential can operate premises for workers who cannot work from home during the Alert Level 4 period.