This Friday 28 June 2024 celebrates the rising of Matariki and MBIE’s Labour Inspectorate is reminding employers and
employees of their rights and responsibilities during this public holiday.
Labour Inspectorate Compliance Manager - Northern David Milne says it’s important for employees to know their minimum
rights on public holidays, and for employers to understand their obligations.
“If a public holiday falls on a day that employees would otherwise be working, the employer must still pay them a full
paid day off,” says David.
“If employees are working on a public holiday, then they’re entitled to be paid time and a half, and they may also get
an alternative day off.”
Unlike Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on Anzac Day, there are no trading restrictions for
Matariki or other public holidays.
Employees can only be made to work on a public holiday if it falls on a day that they would normally be working, or if
their employment agreement confirms that they should be working on the public holiday.