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Leave and holidays
Whakamatuatanga me ngā hararei

Employees are entitled to annual holidays, public holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave, parental leave and other types of leave as long as they meet certain conditions.

  • Public holidays

    Employees have minimum rights that apply to public holidays.

    • Public holidays and anniversary dates
    • Previous years: Public holidays and anniversary dates
    • Managing public holidays as an employer
    • Public holidays rights for employees
    • Transferring a public holiday
    • Alternative holidays
    • When a public holiday falls on a weekend
    • Restricted trading days for shops
    • Working and trading on Easter Sunday
  • Annual holidays

    All employees become entitled to 4 weeks annual holidays (annual leave) after 12 months of continuous employment.

    • Managing annual holidays
    • Taking annual holidays
    • Annual closedowns and holidays
  • Sick leave

    Eligible employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave each year so they can care for themselves, their partners or their dependants.

    • Managing sick leave
    • Taking sick leave
  • Bereavement leave

    Eligible employees can take paid bereavement leave if someone close to them dies, including for a miscarriage or stillbirth.

    • Managing bereavement leave
    • Taking bereavement leave
  • Parental leave

    Employees may be able to take leave from work to care for their new child.

    • Managing parental leave as an employer
    • Taking parental leave
    • Types of parental leave
    • If you’re self-employed
  • Family violence leave

    Eligible employees are entitled to up to 10 days of paid leave each year if they, or a child who lives with them, experience family violence.

    • Managing family violence leave
    • Taking family violence leave
  • Leave without pay

    Employees can take leave without pay if their employer agrees. This agreement should be recorded in writing.

  • Other types of leave

    Employment agreements may provide other leave types with or without pay that are not enacted in laws. This page covers the most common types, but is not exhaustive.

    • Jury service leave
    • Leave in lieu of notice
    • Long service leave
    • Employment Relations Education leave
    • Defence force volunteers
    • Leave during and after a natural disaster
    • Time off to vote

Holidays Act reform

Find out more about proposed changes to the Holidays Act

Holidays Act reform - Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)
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