Guide

Minimum leave rights are set in law. Broadly, employees are entitled to at least four weeks’ paid annual holidays after qualifying service, paid leave on public holidays that would otherwise be working days (with extra rules if you work that day), and — after meeting the service or hours tests — sick leave, bereavement leave, and family violence leave.

Your employment agreement can be more generous than the minimums, but it cannot take away legal minimums. Part-time, fixed-term, and many casual arrangements still connect to Holidays Act rules — the official guide is the reliable map.

If leave pay looks wrong, collect payslips and ask Employment NZ. Parental leave has its own government pathway. Not personalised employment advice.