> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://herwaka.shesharp.org.nz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Employment Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand

> Overview of employment rights in Aotearoa New Zealand with links to key resources.

Understanding your rights as an employee is an important part of your career journey. This page provides an overview of key employment rights and links to trusted resources.

## Your Basic Rights

Every employee in New Zealand is entitled to:

* **A written employment agreement** — Your employer must provide this before you start work
* **At least the minimum wage** — This applies to all employees aged 16 and over
* **Holiday and leave entitlements** — Including annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and public holidays
* **A safe workplace** — Your employer must take steps to keep you safe at work
* **Freedom from discrimination** — You cannot be treated unfairly because of your gender, age, ethnicity, disability, or other protected characteristics
* **Fair treatment** — Including good-faith obligations from both employer and employee

## Types of Employment

| Type                                   | Description                                                             |
| -------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Permanent (full-time or part-time)** | Ongoing employment with regular hours                                   |
| **Fixed-term**                         | Employment for a specific period or project with a genuine reason       |
| **Casual**                             | No guaranteed hours; work is offered and accepted on an as-needed basis |
| **Contractor**                         | Self-employed; different rights and obligations apply                   |

## Key Resources

* [Employment New Zealand](https://www.employment.govt.nz) — The government's official resource for employment rights and obligations
* [Community Law](https://communitylaw.org.nz) — Free legal information and advice for people in New Zealand
* [Citizens Advice Bureau](https://www.cab.org.nz) — Free, confidential advice on employment and other matters
* [Human Rights Commission](https://www.hrc.co.nz) — Information about discrimination and your rights

## Getting Help

If you believe your employment rights have been violated:

1. Talk to your employer first — many issues can be resolved through open communication
2. Contact [Employment New Zealand](https://www.employment.govt.nz) for guidance
3. Seek free legal advice from [Community Law](https://communitylaw.org.nz)
4. If needed, you can raise a personal grievance within 90 days

<Note>
  Employment rights will be covered in detail during **Session 3** (May 20, 2026) of the HER WAKA programme.
</Note>