BuckettLaw

27/07/2026

Last week, Barbara Buckett spoke with Lisa Owen on RNZ's Checkpoint about whether employers can require staff to have their cameras switched on during online meetings. The discussion explored the legal and practical considerations for employers, including privacy, reasonableness, and managing remote teams. You can listen to the interview and read the article here:

Making workers turn their cameras on during Zoom or Teams calls could potentially be discrimination, an employment expert says.

26/03/2026

🚨 Employment Law Updates – Coming 1 April 2026

Minimum Wage is going up:
💼 Adult: $23.95
📘 Training/Starting‑out: $19.16
KiwiSaver changes:
📈 Employer + employee minimum contributions rise to 3.5%
✅ 16–17 year olds now get compulsory employer contributions
👉 Employers: update payroll + check employment agreements, especially for minimum‑wage staff.

🔥 Already in force (from 21 Feb):
$200k+ Dismissal Threshold
Employees on $200,000+ (new agreements) can’t raise unjustified dismissal claims.
Reduced Remedies
If an employee contributed to their own grievance, remedies must be reduced or removed.
Contractor vs Employee
A new gateway test clarifies contractor status.
30‑Day Rule Gone
New hires can sign individual agreements from day one. Union info still required.

📝 Employers should review: agreements, policies, onboarding processes, and contractor arrangements.

Need help staying compliant? BuckettLaw has you covered. ✅

10/02/2026

Barbara Buckett was pleased to speak with Cameron Cooper from Acuity Magazine on the growing issue of phoenixing and its impact on both businesses and employees.
As Barbara highlights, “Phoenixing undermines fair competition and leaves hardworking employees and creditors bearing the cost. Stronger accountability and greater transparency are essential if we want to protect the integrity of our business community.”
You can read the full article here:

How can we stop phoenixing – the illegal practice of liquidating or abandoning companies, then resurrecting them under a new name to avoid debts?

13/01/2026

Welcome Back — Happy 2026 from BuckettLaw!

This year brings major shifts in NZ employment law. Here are the key changes employers need to know:

✅ Wage Theft = Criminal Offence
Intentional non-payment of wages (over $1,000) can lead to up to 7 years’ imprisonment.
✅ Partial-Strike Pay Deductions
Employers can deduct 10% or proportionate pay during partial strikes—strict notice rules apply.
✅ Pay Transparency
Employees can discuss pay freely; retaliation can lead to personal grievances.
✅ Upcoming Holidays Act Reform
Leave will accrue hourly, be taken in hours, and calculated at a standard rate. Casuals get guaranteed leave compensation.
✅ Employment Relations Amendment Bill
• Clearer contractor vs employee test
• $200k high-income threshold for dismissal claims
• Reduced remedies for misconduct
• Removal of the 30-day union rule

With so much change, now’s the time to review your agreements and policies. BuckettLaw can help you stay compliant and confident in 2026.

📩 Get in touch to future-proof your workplace.