Employer Bulletin | 16 February

Here's what is leading the news for employers this week:

The government will contract to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility in a critical step to strengthen New Zealand’s energy security and support economic growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts says.

The decision follows extensive analysis and the first stage of procurement.

“New Zealand is experiencing a renewable electricity boom, but a rapidly declining gas supply has left our electricity sector exposed during dry years, when our hydro lakes run low,” Mr Watts says.

“The result is greater reliance on coal and diesel, and ultimately higher electricity prices, putting more financial pressure on families and making businesses less competitive.”

Independent analysis from Sense Partners found that higher energy prices have had a significant impact on the New Zealand economy, leading to a $5.2 billion loss in GDP in 2025.

In today’s Bulletin:

• Employer backed up in its handling of casual assignments
• Success of restructure puts employee out of accommodation
• Overwhelming evidence confirms cleaner’s status as contractor
• Settlement payment upheld despite employer hardship
• Employer believes employee is a casual, but Authority disagrees
• Eight news updates of interest for employers including:
  • Unemployment rate at 5.4% in the December 2025 quarter
  • Milestone health and safety bill passes first reading
  • International Convention Centre a major win for tourism and hospitality
  • Delivering LNG to support energy security
  • $28 million boost for hill country erosion control
  • New trans-Tasman standards agreement signed
  • NZ-UAE partnership boosts advanced tech capability
  • One year on, fast-track is building NZ’s future
• Five bills open for submission
   

If you have any questions, about this case or other employment relation matters, call the Advice Line team on 0800 800 362.