Employment legislation reviews
From time to time, we review employment and accident compensation legislation. Our current and past reviews are listed on this page.
On this page
In this section
Increasing the minimum sick leave entitlement
The Government has introduced a Bill to increase employees’ minimum entitlement to sick leave from five days to 10 days per year.
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
The Government established a Taskforce to review and provide recommendations to improve the Holidays Act.
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 by 2020.
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
In conjunction with ACC we conduct a biennial review of the Cost of Treatment Regulations.This is to ensure payments for treatment are affordable for both claimants and ACC and don't cause alignment issues in the health sector.
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.
Fair Pay Agreements
The Government is considering options for the detailed design of a Fair Pay Agreement system.
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 – application to amend Schedule 1A
E tū’s application for security officers to be added to the categories of employees that receive continuity of employment protections.