Business Law Library & Tracker

Migrant Workers & Labour Hire

Seasonal work, labour hire, recruitment chains and migrant-worker standards.

Sources last reviewed 28 July 2026

Main law guides

157

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

96

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

8

New, amended & reviewed

Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.

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Main laws

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Cases

Employment Court of New Zealand[2025] NZEmpC 20815 Sept 2025

Soapi and Others v Pick Hawkes Bay Inc

Employers must be careful when making deductions from employees’ wages, especially for accommodation and other costs. Deductions must be lawful, agreed to in...

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Employment & WorkplaceRegulatory ComplianceWages, Leave & PayrollDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesCharities, Clubs & Member GovernanceAgriculture, Farming & Rural BusinessImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsMigrant Workers & Labour HirePayroll Deductions & Minimum Standards
Employment Court of New Zealand[2024] NZEmpC 8421 May 2024

E Tū Inc v Singh

Employers and unions must ensure that disciplinary processes are conducted fairly, with clear reasons for dismissal and a genuine opportunity for employees to...

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Employment & WorkplaceRegulatory ComplianceWages, Leave & PayrollDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesCharities, Clubs & Member GovernanceTelecommunications, Media & ContentEquality, Discrimination & AccessibilityMigrant Workers & Labour HireWorkplace Investigations & MisconductStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Employment Court of New Zealand[2024] NZEmpC 7413 May 2024

Hu v Passion Fresh Ltd

Employers and host businesses must understand their roles and obligations when engaging labour hire workers. Employees must raise personal grievances directly with...

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Employment & WorkplaceRegulatory ComplianceDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesWorkplace Health & SafetyDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsEquality, Discrimination & AccessibilityMigrant Workers & Labour Hire
Employment Court of New Zealand[2023] NZEmpC 8916 June 2023

A Labour Inspector of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment v Prisha’s Hospitality (2017) Ltd T/A Royal Cambridge Indian Restaurant

Employers must strictly comply with minimum employment standards, including paying at least minimum wage, providing proper holiday and leave entitlements, and...

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Employment & WorkplaceRegulatory ComplianceWages, Leave & PayrollDirectors' Duties & GovernanceShareholders & Company ControlDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsMigrant Workers & Labour HirePayroll Deductions & Minimum StandardsHospitality, Alcohol & GamblingStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Employment Court of New Zealand[2023] NZEmpC 2171 Dec 2023

MGK Homes Ltd v Yoon

Employers must be careful when ending an employment relationship, especially with migrant workers. If an employee is dismissed without proper process or...

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Employment & WorkplaceRegulatory ComplianceWages, Leave & PayrollDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesLiquidation & RestructuringAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsMigrant Workers & Labour Hire
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2017] NZSC 1356 Sept 2017

Affco New Zealand Limited v New Zealand Meat Workers and Related Trades Union Inc and Others

If your business relies on returning seasonal staff, do not assume the off-season gives you a clean slate to reset employment terms. This case shows that where...

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Employment & WorkplaceDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsUnions, Collective Bargaining & Industrial ActionMigrant Workers & Labour HireAnimals, Food & Agricultural Products