Key dates for New Zealand workers

What changes, and when, for anybody who works or is looking for work in New Zealand. Only changes that are law are listed; a Bill still before Parliament is not, until it passes.

1. 1 April 2027

   The new tax year begins

   The new tax year. Benefit rates are adjusted for prices every year on this date, and any change to tax thresholds, the minimum wage, the ACC earner levy or student loan settings takes effect with it.

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2. 1 July 2027

   Paid parental leave is worked out on your recent earnings

   Paid parental leave starts being worked out on 100% of your average gross weekly earnings, from all your jobs, over roughly your last four weeks of pay (the Employment Leave Act 2026, amending the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987).

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3. 1 April 2028

   The default KiwiSaver contribution rises to 4%

   The default KiwiSaver contribution rises from 3.5% to 4% of pay, for employees and for employers' matching contributions.

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4. 6 August 2028

   The Employment Leave Act replaces the Holidays Act

   The Employment Leave Act 2026 replaces the Holidays Act 2003. Annual and sick leave are earned in hours from your first day, bereavement and family violence leave apply from your first day, casual and extra hours earn a 12.5% payment instead of leave, up to a quarter of your annual leave can be cashed up each year, and existing balances convert to hours.

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Your own dates (six months in a job, your first year, your pay review, parental leave from a due date) are worked out in Your Career. What the leave law gives today is on Leave and work rights in numbers.