Hiring
Employment basics before hiring staff
May 3, 2026Minimum wage, agreements, holidays, and leave responsibilities before your first roster.
Do not wait until the first busy weekend to create employment documents. Before someone starts, clarify whether they are an employee or contractor, what they will be paid, and what agreement applies.
Plan rosters around minimum wage, public holidays, rest breaks, leave, and payroll records. Food, retail, beauty, cleaning, and event businesses often rely on casual help, but casual workers still need lawful treatment.
If you hire family or kababayan, keep the paperwork professional. Clear agreements protect the relationship as much as the business.
Key facts
- Employment New Zealand says minimum wage rates apply to employees aged 16 and over.
- Employment New Zealand says employees become entitled to paid annual holidays after 12 months of continuous employment.