Celebrating and supporting working New Zealanders

Today, on international workers day, we celebrate the contributions of working New Zealanders to building a modern economy and to promoting workplaces that are productive and inclusive, fair and fit for the 21st Century, says Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.

“This government aims to ensure working New Zealanders are benefiting from the prosperity they have contributed to creating.

“I’m giving a big thank you today to all working New Zealanders for contributing to our successful economy. With your support this Government has been able to share the gains of prosperity by:

• Lifting the minimum wage, first to $17.70 and up to $20 by 2021
• Restoring balance to the Employment Relations Act by reclaiming basic modern workplace conditions including rest and meals breaks, support for vulnerable workers
• Increasing Working for Families by $75 per week when fully rolled out and opening it up for another 26,000 families
• Increasing Paid Parental Leave from 18 to 22 weeks and up to 26 weeks by 2020
• Supporting victims of domestic violence with up to ten days leave per year and providing workplaces with tools to help
• Implementing the Health and Safety Strategy including developing tools to prevent bullying and harassment
• Progressing pay equity legislation to improve access to pay claims.

“There is more to do but we will keep supporting working New Zealanders to make our workplaces inclusive and productive, fair and fit for the 21st Century,” says Iain Lees-Galloway.

Quick links

Minimum wage increases

Pay boost for 200,000 Kiwis this Monday

Up to 209,200 New Zealanders benefitted from a pay boost on 1 April 2019, thanks to the Coalition Government’s decision to raise the minimum wage to $17.70.

Employment Relations Act amendments

Restoring balance to the workplace

The passage into law of the Employment Relations Amendment Act helps restore fairness to New Zealand workplaces and restore fundamental rights for workers

Working for families increases

Making New Zealand the best place in the world to raise a family

We have made major increases to Working for Families, including making 26,000 more families eligible from 1 July 2018. Families will be better off by average of $75 a week when the Families Package is fully rolled out.

Paid parental leave

Paid Parental Leave increases for families

More New Zealand families with newborns can enjoy more time to bond with their children – PPL rose from 18 to 22 weeks from July 2018 and is on its way to 26 weeks for babies by July 2020.

Domestic violence protection leave

Workplace responses to family violence – marking International Women’s Day #WeToo

The Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Act took effect on 1 April, 2019.

Health and Safety at Work Strategy

Strategy launched for keeping Kiwis healthier and safer at work

A new Health and Safety at Work Strategy commits New Zealand to better practices in the workplace for the next decade.

Pay Equity

Making history for women’s pay in New Zealand

The Equal Pay Amendment Bill, introduced to the House on 19 September 2018, will make it easier for workers to make a pay equity claim, using a more simple and accessible process within New Zealand’s existing bargaining framework.