Practical, people-first guides to how leave actually works in New Zealand: public holidays, otherwise working days, annual leave, sick leave, bereavement, parental and family violence leave, plus the software and compliance side. Written by the NZ team that turned the Act into rules a computer can follow.
How the Holidays Act 2003 works today: public holidays, otherwise working days, Mondayisation, relevant and average daily pay.
The Holidays Act 2003 turned into clear, followable rules: otherwise working days, relevant vs average daily pay, time and a half, alternative holidays, Mondayisation and what changes in 2028 — with free calculators.
Annual, sick, bereavement, parental, family violence, alternative holidays and leave without pay — one guide per leave type.
Four weeks after 12 months, how it is paid (ordinary weekly pay vs average weekly earnings), cashing up, closedowns and what happens on termination.
10 days a year after six months, carry-over up to 20 days, medical certificates, and using sick leave for dependants.
Three days for close family, one day for others, miscarriage and stillbirth leave, and how it is paid.
Primary carer leave, partner's leave, extended leave, government paid parental leave and the changes arriving 1 July 2027.
Ten days of paid leave, flexible working requests, and what an employer can and cannot ask for.
When an alternative holiday is earned, how it is taken and paid, the 12-month cash-up rule and what happens on termination.
How unpaid leave affects annual leave anniversaries, average pay calculations and continuous service.
What the Employment Leave Act 2026 changes, when it starts, and how to get ready before 6 August 2028.
The bill that replaces the Holidays Act 2003 received Royal assent on 6 August 2026 and takes effect on 6 August 2028. Here is what actually changes for employers and employees.
Choosing leave and payroll software that actually understands NZ law, and where global tools fall short.
An honest comparison of leave software that actually handles the Holidays Act — and a featured section for NZ providers worth knowing.
Otherwise working days, Mondayisation, alternative holidays and average daily pay are uniquely Kiwi. Here is where global platforms fall short and what to check before you sign up.
Records you must keep, the calculations that most often go wrong, and how to audit your own payroll before the Labour Inspectorate does.
The same logic our software runs, turned into free tools anyone can use. Built for the Holidays Act 2003 and ready for the 2028 changes.
Leave and rostering platforms built or adapted for the New Zealand Holidays Act.
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