Newsletter

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.

Over the past few weeks, NZEE has been actively representing member views at a national level. We’ve made a submission on the RSE Policy Review, and also submitted on, and appeared before, the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the proposed Employment Leave Bill which if passed, will replace the Holidays Act.

There’s a lot in this month’s edition. We cover the upcoming employment law changes taking effect from 1 April, including minimum wage and KiwiSaver updates, along with what to check across your systems and agreements. We’ve also included guidance on fuel use and links to official information as the fuel supply situation continues to evolve, as well as a range of other insights and resources relevant to the season.

As the days begin to cool and we ease into autumn, March offers a natural pause point. The busy pace of summer starts to shift, giving many of us a moment to look up from the day to day and reflect on the bigger picture, both in our workplaces and in our communities.

There’s a lot in this month’s edition. We’re looking at what diversity and inclusion really mean in practice, what business leaders are predicting for 2026, and what the proposed Modern Day Slavery Bill could mean for your business. We also touch on innovation in the primary sector, and unpack the latest changes signalled in the Health and Safety Amendment Bill.

We want to acknowledge the whānau and communities affected by the recent weather events and extend our deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones. Moe mai rā.

February brings Waitangi Day, a time to reflect on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the principles of partnership, protection, and participation. Those principles continue to provide an important lens for conversations about work, fairness, and how people are treated in our workplaces.

As we move into the year ahead, our focus remains on putting people first and supporting fair, safe, and respectful workplaces. We’ll continue to share practical guidance and clear updates, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, pastoral care, and human rights due diligence throughout the year.

As we head into December, it’s a good moment to take stock of a year that has stretched most of us. The pace of regulatory change, workforce pressures and the sheer volume of operational demands have been tough, yet the resilience shown across our membership has been impressive. Employers, managers and teams have continued to front up, look after their people and support each other through another challenging year.

This final newsletter for the year brings together a few updates to help you close out 2025 with clarity. It’s also a chance to acknowledge the strength of the New Zealand Ethical Employers community. Your willingness to share insights, ask the hard questions and stay committed to ethical practice has shaped our work throughout the year and strengthened the support we can offer.

Welcome to the November edition of our newsletter.

Summer’s just around the corner, and November is a great time to recognise the people who keep our workplaces running. With World Kindness Day (13 November) and White Ribbon Day (19 November) on the calendar, it’s a timely reminder that respect and care at work matter every day. And for those in Marlborough and Canterbury, enjoy your regional anniversaries and a well-earned long weekend.

Welcome to the October edition of our newsletter.

Spring is well and truly here, with daylight saving already giving us lighter evenings and a reminder that the busy months are just around the corner. We know the current climate is tough, and we want to acknowledge the effort and resilience our members continue to show in keeping people employed and businesses moving forward.

Spring has arrived — even if the weather is still playing catch-up. September is full of reasons to celebrate: Random Acts of Kindness Day on the 1st, Father’s Day on the 7th, and the richness of Papua New Guinea Language Week, Tuvalu Language Week, and Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (14–20 September). With daylight saving beginning on the 28th, longer evenings are just around the corner.

Let’s make the most of the season by sharing kindness, embracing our cultures, and looking forward to brighter days — whatever the skies may bring. And to all our Dads, and bonus Dads, thank you for everything you do.

After a turbulent July marked by severe weather across many parts of the country, we hope you and your teams are safe, dry, and finding moments of calm amid the clean-up. While winter hasn’t quite loosened its grip, there’s a sense of spring slowly approaching—bringing with it renewed energy and the promise of new beginnings.