There are a number of important statutes (Acts of Parliament) which have an impact on employment relations, including most notably the Employment Relations Act 2000.

Together, the rights and entitlements derived from this body of employment legislation create what is known as “the minimum code of employment”. The effect of the minimum code is that no employment contract/agreement can specify less than the minimum entitlements set down in the relevant legislation.

Remember also that this section details statutes which define the minimum employment provisions which apply throughout New Zealand rather than the entitlements which apply under the relevant employment agreements. In other words, the express terms of employment for employees may in some cases be more favourable than the minimum statutory provisions.