Free Employment Law Help in New Zealand

1. MBIE Employment Services Helpline

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment operates a free helpline for employment questions.

What MBIE Can Help With

• Minimum wage and pay questions
• Leave entitlements (annual, sick, parental, bereavement)
• Unfair dismissal and redundancy information
• Employment agreement requirements
• Trial period rules
• Workplace bullying and harassment information
• Health and safety obligations
• Migrant worker rights

2. Employment Relations Authority (ERA) Mediation

ERA mediation is a free service that helps employees and employers resolve disputes without a formal hearing.

What ERA Mediation Covers

• Unjustified dismissal claims
• Redundancy disputes
• Unpaid wages and holiday pay
• Personal grievances
• Bullying and harassment complaints
• Breach of employment agreement
• Disadvantage claims

How to Access ERA Mediation

1. Raise a personal grievance with your employer within 90 days
2. If unresolved, contact the ERA to request mediation
3. Complete the online application at era.govt.nz
4. A mediator will be assigned and contact both parties
5. Attend mediation (in person, phone, or video)

Mediation Timeline

Step	Timeframe
Raise grievance with employer	Within 90 days of issue
Apply for ERA mediation	After attempting resolution
Mediation scheduled	4-8 weeks from application
Mediation session	Usually 2-4 hours

3. Union Legal Support

Union membership is one of the best ways to access free employment legal help in New Zealand.

Major NZ Unions

Union	Coverage	Contact
E tu	Manufacturing, hospitality, security, health	0800 1 UNION
NZEI Te Riu Roa	Education (primary, ECE)	04 385 1599
PPTA	Secondary teachers	04 384 9964
NZNO	Nurses and healthcare	0800 28 38 48
PSA	Public service workers	0508 367 772
First Union	Retail, finance, transport	0800 863 863
Unite Union	Fast food, hotels, casinos	0800 2 UNITE

Find the right union for your industry at union.org.nz

Union Membership Costs

Most unions charge $10-25 per week or 1% of your salary. This is tax-deductible and far cheaper than hiring an employment lawyer ($300-450/hour).

4. Community Law Centres

Community Law Centres provide free legal advice for employment matters regardless of your income.

What They Can Help With

• Unfair dismissal or constructive dismissal
• Unpaid wages, overtime, or holiday pay
• Workplace bullying and harassment
• Employment agreement disputes
• Redundancy process questions
• Trial period problems
• Discrimination claims

Find Your Local Community Law Centre

There are 24 Community Law Centres across New Zealand. Find yours at communitylaw.org.nz

5. Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

CAB provides free information about employment rights and can refer you to appropriate services.

6. Employment New Zealand Website

The official government website has extensive free resources:

• Employment agreement builder tool
• Minimum wage calculator
• Leave entitlement information
• Problem-solving tools
• Template letters and forms
• Early resolution service

Visit employment.govt.nz

7. WorkSafe New Zealand

For health and safety issues in the workplace:

8. Human Rights Commission

For discrimination-related workplace issues:

• Phone: 0800 496 877
• Website: hrc.co.nz
• Free mediation for discrimination complaints
• Information about discrimination law
• Complaints process for unlawful discrimination

Important Time Limits

Summary: Where to Get Free Employment Help

Situation	Best Free Option
General employment questions	MBIE Helpline (0800 20 90 20)
Legal advice on your situation	Community Law Centre
Dispute with employer	ERA Mediation (free)
Ongoing representation	Union (if member)
Health and safety issue	WorkSafe (0800 030 040)
Discrimination	Human Rights Commission