Annual Leave Rules in New Zealand

In New Zealand, most employees are entitled to a minimum of four weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave after 12 months of continuous employment. This right is established under the Holidays Act 2003, which outlines the entitlements and conditions associated with annual leave. Employees accrue annual leave based on their ordinary hours of work, and it is important to note that any unused leave can be carried over to the next year, although employers may have specific policies regarding the expiration of unused leave after a certain period.

Additionally, employees are entitled to take their annual leave at a time that is mutually agreed upon with their employer. Employers are required to provide employees with their annual leave entitlements in writing, and they cannot unreasonably refuse a request for leave. In cases where an employee's employment ends, they are entitled to be paid out for any accrued but unused annual leave. For more detailed information on annual leave rights in New Zealand, you can refer to the official government resource at Employment New Zealand.