Newsletter & Blog

Welcome to the August edition of the NZEE newsletter.

July was a busy month for our sector, with both the NZEE Conference in Tauranga and the HortNZ RSE Conference bringing employers, industry leaders and government agencies together to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead. Thank you to everyone who attended, shared their experiences and contributed to the conversations. The willingness of members to engage openly and constructively is one of NZEE's greatest strengths.

As expected, the RSE Conference also brought a number of policy announcements and updates. Over the coming weeks we'll continue working through the detail, engaging with agencies where needed, and keeping members informed as changes develop.

We also acknowledge the passing of the Employment Leave Bill which will be a significant shift for employers and workers alike.

By the time this reaches your inbox,we will be heading to Tauranga for the NZEE Conference and AGM. We are looking forward to catching up with members, hearing from our speakers, and continuing the conversations that matter most to employers and workers across our industries. July is shaping up to be another busy month that also provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the diverse cultures that contribute to our workplaces and communities. We celebrate Matariki on 10 July this year. Matariki encourages us to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future with purpose and optimism. We also recognise Kiribati Language Week from 5 to 11 July and Vanuatu Language Week from 26 July to 1 August. These celebrations highlight the languages, cultures and traditions of I-Kiribati and Ni-Vanuatu communities, many of whom make a significant contribution to New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture sectors through the RSE scheme.

June is shaping up to be a busy month, with plenty happening in employment, compliance, workforce planning, harvests and of course winter pruning getting under way.

Last month we made our submission on the Modern-Day Slavery Bill, supporting the intention but calling for more emphasis to be placed on action and worker protections.

We are also putting a spotlight on the NZEE Conference 2026, being held on Thursday 2 July at Trinity Wharf, Tauranga. Registrations close on 18 June, so if you have been meaning to book your place, now is the time.It will be a valuable day for employers who want to stay ahead of change, hear from a strong mix of speakers, and connect with others working through the same challenges. We would love to see as many of you there as possible.

In this month's blog, NZEE Chair Mike Chapman reflects on the importance of balancing strong worker protections with compliance systems that are clear, practical and focused on achieving real outcomes. He explores why ethical employment isn't about creating more process, but about ensuring regulation supports both workers and employers in a fair and effective way.

As businesses continue to face growing compliance demands, Mike, our Chairman, takes a look how AI can become the next compliance system.

As businesses continue to face growing compliance demands, Mike, our Chairman, takes a look at the impact of red tape on everyday operations and how process and bureaucracy can quietly slow productivity, investment and growth.