The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 came into force on 21 February 2026 and introduces a series of significant changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 (“the Act”).

The words “restructure” and “redundancy” have featured regularly in media reports over the past two years in New Zealand. Many businesses and employees have gone through restructures and redundancies. The ongoing challenges of an economic downturn and uncertainty means that restructures and redundancies will continue to be considered by businesses as a way of managing costs, resources and efficiencies.