Employment Relations Act 2000 (2000 No 24).

The object of this Act is to build productive employment relationships through the promotion of good faith in all aspects of the employment environment and of the employment relationship (1) by recognizing that employment relationships must be built not only on the implied mutual obligations of trust and confidence, but also on a legislative requirement for good faith behavior; (2) by acknowledging and addressing the inherent inequality of power in employment relationships; and (3) by promoting collective bargaining; and (4) by protecting the integrity of individual choice; (5) by promoting mediation as the primary problem-solving mechanism other than for enforcing employment standards; (6) by reducing the need for judicial intervention. The Act also aims at promoting the effective enforcement of employment standards, in particular by conferring enforcement powers on Labour Inspectors, the Authority, and the court; and at promoting observance in New Zealand of the principles underlying International Labour Organisation Convention 87 on Freedom of Association, and Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Bargain Collectively.
The Act is organized in 10 Parts and 6 Schedules. Part 1 clarifies the employment relationship and lists possible combinations (an employer and an employee employed by the employer; a union and an employer; a union and a member of the union; a union and another union that are parties bargaining for the same collective agreement; a union and another union that are parties to the same collective agreement; a union and a member of another union where both unions are bargaining for the same collective agreement; a union and a member of another union where both unions are parties to the same collective agreement; an employer and another employer where both employers are bargaining for the same collective agreement. The Part also imposes a duty of good faith. Part 3 is freedom of association; Part 4 recognition and operation of unions, Part 5 Collective bargaining, Part 6AA concerns flexible working and 6AB flexible working short-term for people affected by family violence. Part 6C Part 6C Breastfeeding facilities and breaks, Part 6D Rest breaks and meal breaks. Part 10 provides for the establishment of several institutions, such as Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, etc.