Annual leave, sick leave and public holidays in New Zealand

A plain-English guide to the minimum leave you can expect as an employee in New Zealand, and what to do if something does not look right.

ManyJobs guide · Checked against official sources on 3 November 2026 · General information, not tax, legal or immigration advice.

New Zealand law sets minimum leave entitlements for every employee, whether full-time, part-time or casual. Your employment agreement can give you more, but never less. The rules below are the current minimums under the Holidays Act 2003. Employment New Zealand's leave and holidays pages have full details and examples.

A change is coming in 2028

Parliament passed the Employment Leave Act 2026 to replace the Holidays Act. It moves to an hours-based system, where leave builds up as you work, and it simplifies how leave is paid. However, the Holidays Act continues to apply during a transition period, and the new Act is expected to take effect in August 2028. Until then, the rules in this guide apply. We will update this guide as the changeover approaches.

Annual leave

After 12 months of continuous employment with the same employer, you are entitled to at least four weeks of paid annual leave each year. Annual leave is usually taken at a time agreed with your employer, and you can ask to take some leave in advance before you become entitled to it.

If you work for less than 12 months, for example on a fixed-term contract, or your hours are so irregular that it is not practical to give four weeks' leave, your employer may pay holiday pay with each pay. This is called "pay as you go" holiday pay and is 8 percent of your gross earnings. It must be shown separately on your payslip. When you leave a job, any leave you have earned but not used must be paid out in your final pay.

Sick leave

After six months of current continuous employment, or if you have worked an average of at least 10 hours a week (and at least one hour a week or 40 hours a month) over six months, you are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave each year. You can use it when you are sick or injured, or when your spouse or partner, or someone who depends on you, is sick or injured. Unused sick leave can carry over, up to a maximum of 20 days.

Your employer can ask for proof of sickness, such as a medical certificate, if you are sick for three or more consecutive calendar days. If they ask for proof for a shorter absence, they must usually pay the cost of getting it.

Bereavement and family violence leave

Once you meet the same six-month test, you are entitled to three days of paid bereavement leave when a close family member dies, including after a miscarriage or stillbirth, and one day when someone else you are close to dies. You are also entitled to up to 10 days of paid family violence leave each year if you are affected by family violence, and you can ask for short-term flexible working arrangements.

Public holidays

New Zealand has 12 public holidays each year: New Year's Day, the day after New Year's Day, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, the King's Birthday, Matariki, Labour Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and your regional anniversary day. If a public holiday falls on a day you would otherwise work, you are entitled to a paid day off.

If you do work on a public holiday that would otherwise be a working day for you, you must be paid at least time and a half for the hours worked, and you also get an alternative paid day off (often called a day in lieu) to take later. Some public holidays falling on a weekend are "Mondayised", which affects who gets the day off. Our sister site Long Weekends NZ lists every public holiday date.

Supermarket and retail trading days

On Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and the morning of Anzac Day, shop trading is restricted, and shop workers have the right to refuse to work on Easter Sunday without giving a reason. If you work in retail, check your roster early for these days.

If something does not look right

• Check your employment agreement and payslips for how leave is recorded.
• Ask your manager or payroll team politely, in writing, to explain the calculation.
• Use Employment New Zealand's online tools and guidance, or call their contact centre.
• If you belong to a union, ask your union delegate or organiser.

Related guides: understanding your payslip and employment agreements and trial periods.