Your rights at work
Minimum wage, holidays, sick leave and a written agreement: the same for everyone, whatever your visa.
The basics
- Minimum wage: $23.95 an hour for adults from 1 April 2026.
- A written employment agreement: every employee must have one.
- Holidays: 4 weeks' paid annual holiday after 12 months with the same employer.
- Sick leave: 10 paid days a year after 6 months with the same employer.
- Never pay anyone for a job, a job offer or a visa. It is illegal to charge you for these.
Coming change
A new Employment Leave Act replaces the Holidays Act on 6 August 2028. Until then the rules above apply.
If something is wrong
Employment New Zealand: 0800 20 90 20. To report exploitation of a migrant worker, call 0800 200 088 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5:30pm) and say "Turkish" for an interpreter, or report online.
Businesses on Merhaba that can help
Official sources
- Minimum wage from 1 April 2026 · employment.govt.nz
- Leave and holidays · employment.govt.nz
- Employment agreements · employment.govt.nz
- Report migrant exploitation · employment.govt.nz
General information, checked against the official sources listed with each article. Rules and amounts change, so check the official page before you act. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Checked 11 October 2026.