Employment News & Articles
New Zealand Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
1 week ago | 136 viewsThe adult minimum wage in New Zealand will increase by 2% to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026, benefiting around 122,500 workers while balancing cost-of-living pressures and business costs. The government aims to moderate wage increases to address wage compression and support youth employment, with starting-out and training wages set at 80% of the adult rate. This change reflects the NZ First-National coalition’s commitment to responsible economic management, boosting incomes, and fostering job opportunities.
Tags: Brooke van Velden NZ First National coalition New Zealand minimum wage Workplace Relations and Safety youth unemployment wage compression Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment inflationEarn as You Learn: Expanding Paid Manufacturing Apprenticeships Across NZ
2 weeks ago | 106 viewsThe Earn as You Learn pilot, launched in Waikato in February 2025, connects high school students with manufacturers to provide paid, real-world experience while earning a manufacturing certificate, achieving over 80% learner completion and strong employer support. Due to its success, the program will expand to the Hutt Valley and Canterbury in 2026, and Auckland in 2027, aiming to increase graduates from 17 to 100-150 annually. This initiative addresses skilled labor shortages in manufacturing, a key sector for New Zealand’s economy, by fostering collaboration between industry, educators, and government to build a future workforce.
Tags: Chris Penk Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Wintec Waikato Engineering Careers Association Earn as You Learn New Zealand Waikato Hutt Valley CanterburyGovernment Welcomes Select Committee Report on Employment Relations Amendment Bill
2 weeks ago | 104 viewsThe Government welcomes the Select Committee report on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which supports key reforms to enhance labour market flexibility and reduce compliance costs while maintaining core objectives. The Committee recommends clarifications to the gateway test for contractors, including platform-based arrangements, and supports Cabinet decisions to expand income definitions for unjustified dismissal claims and raise the income threshold from $180,000 to $200,000. Minister Brooke van Velden looks forward to progressing the Bill in early 2026, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to helping businesses grow and innovate confidently.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Employment Relations Amendment Bill Education and Workforce Committee Cabinet Government Labour Market Flexibility Select Committee Workplace Relations and Safety Contractors Income ThresholdNew Members Appointed to National Advisory Council on Employment of Women
1 month ago | 133 viewsFive members have been appointed to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) for a three-year term, with three current members reappointed and two new members joining. NACEW advises the Minister for Women on employment issues, economic empowerment, and initiatives like the Gender Pay Gap Toolkit. Minister Nicola Grigg expressed gratitude to outgoing members for their service and emphasized the council’s role in enhancing employment opportunities for women in New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Traci Houpapa Lyn McMorran Michelle Huang Theresa Gattung Minnie Baragwanath Bernadette Pereira Theresa RongonuiNew Zealand Expands Gender Pay Gap Toolkit to Include Ethnicity and Disability Gaps
1 month ago | 153 viewsNew Zealand’s expanded Gender Pay Gap Toolkit now includes tools for calculating gender-ethnicity and gender-disability pay gaps, along with resources tailored for small to medium-sized businesses and young women. Despite the overall gender pay gap falling to 5.2 percent, significant disparities persist for Asian, Māori, Pacific, and disabled women, highlighting ongoing challenges. Developed in partnership with businesses and community groups, the toolkit provides practical guidance to help organizations measure, analyze, and address overlapping pay gaps to create fairer workplaces.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Karanina Sumeo YWCA Auckland New Zealand Gender Pay Gap Ethnicity Pay Gap Disability Pay Gap SMEs Women Wāhine MāoriWorkSafe New Zealand Implements Funding Reforms for Increased Accountability and Transparency in Health and Safety Management
1 month ago | 179 viewsWorkSafe New Zealand's funding management has been reformed to enhance accountability, transparency, and performance measurement, as confirmed by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. The change, influenced by the SageBush review and previous financial challenges, aims to improve resource allocation transparency and effectiveness without altering total funding. The funding will now be divided into five categories to prioritize functions aligned with Health and Safety System reforms, such as supporting best practices, enforcing compliance, authorizing activities, energy safety, and major hazard facilities oversight.
Tags: Health and Safety reforms WorkSafe New Zealand Workplace Relations Safety Minister Brooke van Velden financial management SageBush independent review resource allocation Health and Safety System reformsNew Zealand Labour Market Update: Government's Economic Rebuilding Efforts Highlighted
1 month ago | 237 viewsLabour market statistics released today show a slight increase in unemployment to 5.3% in the September quarter, aligning with forecasts. The Finance Minister emphasizes the government's commitment to rebuilding the economy and creating more job opportunities for New Zealanders. Efforts include reducing taxes, boosting investments, and supporting businesses to drive economic recovery and job growth.
Tags: Labour market statistics Government Economy Job opportunities Kiwis Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Unemployment New ZealandersWorkSafe Board Appoints New Members for Enhanced Governance and Safety Focus
1 month ago | 213 viewsWorkSafe Board, led by new Chair Murray Jagger, welcomes new members Brett O’Riley and Christopher Alderson. Jagger, with expertise in high-risk industries, brings strong governance and strategic skills. O’Riley, former CEO of Employers and Manufacturers Association, offers education and engagement expertise, while Alderson, a health and safety professional, brings construction sector networks and advocacy experience. All appointments are for three years, aiming to enhance early engagement for improved health and safety outcomes nationwide.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Murray Jagger Brett O'Riley Christopher Alderson WorkSafe Board health and safety governance early engagement workplace relations safety ministerConstruction Industry Embraces Health and Safety Reforms: Survey Shows Overwhelming Support
2 months ago | 210 viewsThe construction industry overwhelmingly supports key Health and Safety reforms, with a focus on guidance and critical risks, according to a Site Safe survey welcomed by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. The survey results indicate strong backing for clearer guidance, increased use of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs), and a stronger emphasis on critical risks. Van Velden aims to improve guidance provision, clarify compliance with ACOPs, and involve industry stakeholders in developing ACOPs to enhance practicality and effectiveness in managing health and safety risks in the construction sector.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Health and Safety reforms Workplace Relations Safety Minister Site Safe survey construction industry health and safety WorkSafe Approved Codes of PracticeNew Non-Financial Sanctions Launch in Traffic Light System for Job Seekers
2 months ago | 231 viewsThe Traffic Light System is expanding with two new non-financial sanctions related to job searches and upskilling, aimed at increasing accountability for beneficiaries. These sanctions require reporting job search activities and attending employment-related training courses. The government is focused on reducing benefit dependency, offering support services and incentives to help individuals transition into employment and meet their obligations. The goal is to have fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030 by proactively preparing individuals for employment opportunities.
Tags: Traffic Light System job searches upskilling Social Development Employment Minister Louise Upston beneficiaries accountability benefit dependencyRegional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Job Creation and Resilience in New Zealand
2 months ago | 242 viewsThe Regional Infrastructure Fund, supported by Ministers Shane Jones and Louise Upston, is funding projects in regional New Zealand to create resilient communities and local employment opportunities. Since its opening in mid last year, the RIF has committed over $862 million to projects, with $355.6 million already approved and announced. These projects are expected to provide employment for over 1750 full-time workers during construction, prioritizing local workforce planning and creating job opportunities in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and processing.
Tags: Regional Infrastructure Fund resilient communities local employment opportunities Regional Development Minister Shane Jones Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston infrastructure employment construction New Zealanders projectsGovernment Progresses in Tackling Unemployment Despite Economic Challenges
2 months ago | 225 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights the Government's progress in reducing unemployment despite economic challenges, with a 6% increase in beneficiaries finding work in the June 2025 quarter, totaling 20,775 individuals transitioning into employment. The data also shows a 6.9% rise in work exits from Jobseeker Support and a decrease in young people receiving this support. The Government's initiatives, such as frontline investments, phone-based case management, and Kōrero Mahi seminars, aim to support jobseekers, emphasizing the importance of providing practical assistance during the job search process to help individuals gain independence and improve their lives.
Tags: Minister Social Development Employment Louise Upston Government unemployment MSD stats Jobseeker Support New Zealanders Kōrero MahiMinister Upston Applauds Progress in Job Seeker Preparation and Case Management Boost
2 months ago | 236 viewsMinister Louise Upston has praised the progress in preparing Kiwi job seekers for work, emphasizing the focus on matching them with employers through targeted case management. The Ministry for Social Development is increasing case management places and rolling out Individual Employment Plans to help clients become job-ready. MSD aims to support job seekers in securing positions now and in the future, aligning with the government's Jobseeker reduction target and economic growth projections.
Tags: Minister Social Development Employment Louise Upston Kiwi job seekers case management MSD Individual Employment Plans Government Jobseeker reduction targetNew Zealand Hospitality Industry Undergoes Sector Review for Regulatory Improvements
2 months ago | 267 viewsThe hospitality industry in New Zealand, employing 145,000 people, is crucial for economic growth. The Ministry for Regulation is conducting a sector review to address regulatory costs hindering affordable services for Kiwis, focusing on restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels. The review aims to streamline regulations, cut red tape, reduce costs, and improve compliance to support the industry's recovery and growth.
Tags: hospitality industry New Zealand Ministry for Regulation David Seymour Louise Upston regulations red tape restaurants bars cafesGovernment Saves $915 Million on Consultants, Boosts Frontline Roles
2 months ago | 311 viewsIn the past two years, the New Zealand government has reduced spending on contractors and consultants by $915 million, exceeding their savings target of $400 million. This reduction has been accompanied by a decrease in the size of the public service by nearly 5%, with a focus on increasing frontline roles while cutting back-office positions. The emphasis has shifted towards prioritizing savings in back-office functions to protect and enhance frontline services, resulting in 1533 redundancies and $80.4 million in redundancy payments in the past year.
Tags: Public Service Minister Judith Collins frontline roles public service contractors consultants savings Government redundancies New Zealanders restructure