Employment law updates 2025/26

2025 has seen some significant changes for employment law in NZ. Intentionally underpaying employees is now classified as wage theft, pay secrecy clauses have been banned and employers can now make pay deductions on partial strikes. 

There’s also a lot of proposals currently being circulated in Parliament that could have a significant impact on New Zealand employers.

In this factsheet, we’ll be covering all the new updates, as well as the ones in the works. This includes:

• Pay deductions on partial strikes
• Wage theft
• The minimum wage increase
• Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa
• Pay disclosure legislation
• Personal grievance claim threshold
• Contractor ‘gateway test’
• Proposed reforms to health and safety law
• Big Kiwisaver changes in 2026

Understand your employer obligations with our 2025 Employment Law updates, so you can boost your compliance confidence and get back to focusing on growing your business. 

Download the factsheet now.

The information in this article is current as at 30 October 2025, and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd (ABN 11 160 047 709) and its related bodies corporate (Employment Hero). The views expressed in this article are general information only, are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees, and should not be relied on as professional advice. Some information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this article. You should undertake your own research and seek professional advice before making any decisions or relying on the information in this article.