Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Employment Relations Act 2000

General provisions - Labour Inspectors

223: Labour Inspectors

You could also call this:

“Special workers who check if employers are following the rules to protect employees”

The head of a government department can choose some of their workers to be Labour Inspectors. These inspectors help make sure several important laws are followed. These laws include rules about work, pay, and holidays.

Labour Inspectors look after laws like the Employment Relations Act, which is about how workers and bosses should treat each other. They also check that people are paid fairly under laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Minimum Wage Act.

These inspectors make sure workers get their holidays and special leave, like parental leave when they have a baby. They also protect volunteers and make sure workers get paid properly.

When someone becomes a Labour Inspector, they get a special card signed by their boss. If you ask to see this card when they’re doing their job, they have to show it to you.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM61444.

Topics:
Work and jobs > Worker rights
Government and voting > Government departments
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
Previous

223AAA: Functions of chief executive, or

“The boss of the workplace helps everyone understand and follow the rules about jobs”

Next

223A: Functions of Labour Inspector, or

“Labour Inspectors check and help make sure people follow work rules.”

Part 11 General provisions
Labour Inspectors

223Labour Inspectors

  1. The chief executive may designate as Labour Inspectors such employees of the department as the chief executive from time to time considers necessary for the purposes of—

  2. this Act; and
    1. the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017; and
      1. the Equal Pay Act 1972; and
          1. the Holidays Act 2003; and
            1. the Home and Community Support (Payment for Travel Between Clients) Settlement Act 2016; and
              1. the Minimum Wage Act 1983; and
                1. the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987; and
                  1. the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973; and
                    1. the Wages Protection Act 1983.

                      1. Every Labour Inspector is to have a warrant of designation signed by the chief executive and must produce it for inspection if requested to do so in the course of the Labour Inspector's duties.

                      Compare
                      • 1991 No 22 s 143
                      Notes
                      • Section 223(1)(ab): inserted, on , by section 20(4) of the Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act 2017 (2017 No 24).
                      • Section 223(1)(ab): amended, on , by section 23(2)(c) of the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 50).
                      • Section 223(1)(ba): repealed, on , by section 7(1) of the Fair Pay Agreements Act Repeal Act 2023 (2023 No 65).
                      • Section 223(1)(c): substituted, on , by section 91(2) of the Holidays Act 2003 (2003 No 129).
                      • Section 223(1)(ca): inserted, on , by section 31(4) of the Home and Community Support (Payment for Travel Between Clients) Settlement Act 2016 (2016 No 2).
                      • Section 223(1)(da): inserted, on , by section 6 of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave) Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 7).