NZ Statutory Leave Entitlements (Holidays Act 2003)
Annual Leave
All NZ employees are entitled to at least 4 weeks paid annual leave after 12 months of continuous employment. Pay is the greater of: - Their ordinary weekly rate × 4 weeks, or - 8% of gross earnings for the year
This means part-time and irregular-hours workers often benefit from the 8% calculation.
Sick Leave
Since 2021, employees are entitled to 10 days sick leave per year from their first day of employment. Up to 20 days can accumulate if not taken.
Sick leave is paid at the employee's ordinary rate for the hours they would have worked.
Public Holidays
NZ has 12 public holidays per year. Employees who work on a public holiday receive: - Time-and-a-half for hours worked - An alternative holiday (day off in lieu) if it was an otherwise working day
Bereavement Leave
- 3 days paid leave for death of a spouse/partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or in-law
- 1 day for any other person if the employee has a genuine bereavement
What This Means for Job Pricing
Leave entitlements add approximately 17–22% on top of base hourly wages when factored into true employment cost. Use our Labour Cost Calculator and PAYE Employee Cost Calculator to see the full picture.