Government to replace Holidays Act with new leave system

Tuesday 23 September 2025 · 5 outlets · 8 reports · updated Tue 23 Sep 2025, 3:05pm

In this story Brooke van Velden

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has announced plans to scrap the Holidays Act to address payroll errors and complexity. Under the proposed changes, workers will accrue annual and sick leave based on hours worked from their first day. Casual workers will instead receive a 12.5% pay increase rather than leave entitlements.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffTue 23 Sep 2025, 2:00pm

   Annual leave overhaul: Here’s how the way you earn holiday pay will change (opens in new tab)

   • Live: Sick leave and holidays get major overhaul (opens in new tab) Tue 23 Sep 2025, 2:00pm
2. The Press via The PostTue 23 Sep 2025, 2:00pm

   ‘Broken’ leave laws to be replaced in biggest overhaul in decades (opens in new tab)

3. RNZTue 23 Sep 2025, 2:00pm

   Part-time workers to get less sick leave as law changed (opens in new tab)

4. 1NewsTue 23 Sep 2025, 2:03pm

   Holidays Act overhaul: Changes to annual leave, sick pay system (opens in new tab)

   • Watch live: Brooke van Velden on leave changes (opens in new tab) Tue 23 Sep 2025, 3:05pm
   • Full video: Brooke van Velden on leave changes (opens in new tab) Tue 23 Sep 2025, 3:05pm
5. Otago Daily TimesTue 23 Sep 2025, 2:18pm

   Less sick leave for part-timers in sweeping law change (opens in new tab)