Wages Protection Act 1983

5A: Unreasonable deductions

You could also call this:

"Don't take unfair money from workers' wages"

Illustration for Wages Protection Act 1983

If you are an employer, you must not take money out of a worker's wages if the reason for taking it is not fair. You can only take money out of wages if it is allowed under section 5. The deduction must be reasonable, or you are not allowed to make it.

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This page was last updated on 18 July 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6803306.

Topics:

Work and jobs > Worker rights

5: Deductions with worker's consent, or

"Your employer can take money from your wages if you agree in writing."

6: Employer may recover overpayments in certain circumstances, or

"Your employer can take back money they overpaid you in certain situations."

5AUnreasonable deductions

An employer must not make a deduction under section 5 from wages payable to a worker if the deduction is unreasonable.

Notes

Section 5A: inserted, on 1 April 2016, by section 7 of the Wages Protection Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 12).