New Zealand Employment Guide

New Zealand, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, has a population of around 5 million. Its economy is driven by agriculture, tourism, technology, and manufacturing. Employment in New Zealand is governed by the Employment Relations Act and related labor laws, covering employment agreements, minimum wage, working hours, leave entitlements, and termination procedures. Employers must provide written agreements, ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and contribute to KiwiSaver retirement savings. The labor market is flexible, with employee rights well-protected.

Check recruitment costs

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Capital

Wellington

Official language

English

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in New Zealand

Browse the following tags to learn all about hiring employees in New Zealand

Paid Time Off Policy

Both full-time and part-time employees at SailGlobal are entitled to 20 working days of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually. This entitlement accrues progressively at a rate of 1.67 days per month. Eligibility for annual leave commences after completing one full year of service with the company.

Public Holiday Entitlements

In New Zealand, employees observe a combination of 12 national public holidays and an additional 12 regional anniversary days, depending on their work location.

National Public Holidays Include:

New Year's Day
Day after New Year's Day
Waitangi Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
ANZAC Day
King's Birthday
Matariki
Labour Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day

Practical Implications for International Teams

For global companies like SailGlobal, managing regional holiday variations requires robust HR systems. We recommend implementing centralized tracking tools to ensure compliance with local regulations while maintaining operational efficiency across different territories.

Hire easily in New Zealand

Compare employee hiring costs across over 100 countries worldwide, helping you accurately calculate labor costs. Try it now

Cost Calculator

Please select the country/region you wish to recruit from, and the calculation can be done with just a few clicks.