Not Redundant Job Loss Navigator

Guide · New Zealand

What to do when you lose your job
in New Zealand

Losing your job — whether through redundancy, dismissal, a restructure, or a contract ending — is one of the most stressful things that can happen. The first few days are the hardest. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in the right order, so nothing important gets missed.

Want a personalised plan based on your situation?

Get my free action plan →

10 questions · 2 minutes · no login required

First: take a breath

Before you do anything else, give yourself a day. Not to ignore the situation — but because the decisions you make in the first 48 hours matter, and you'll make better ones with a clearer head. Panic-applying for jobs, signing documents without reading them, or making major financial decisions while in shock rarely ends well.

What you don't need to do immediately: update LinkedIn, tell everyone, or have a plan. What you do need to do within the first week is covered below.

Check what you're owed

Before your last day, make sure you understand what your employer is required to pay you. In New Zealand, your final pay must be paid on your last day or within your regular pay cycle — whichever comes first.

What your final pay should include

Important — NZ has no statutory redundancy pay

Unlike the UK or Australia, New Zealand has no legal requirement for employers to pay redundancy compensation. You are only entitled to it if it's written into your employment agreement or collective agreement. Check yours carefully.

If you think you've been underpaid

Contact the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) or Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for free advice. You have six years to make a claim for unpaid wages, but act sooner — the sooner you raise it, the easier it is to resolve.

Know your rights around notice

In New Zealand, notice periods are set by your employment agreement — there is no single statutory minimum that applies to everyone. Most agreements require two to four weeks' notice from either party. If your employer didn't give you proper notice, they should have paid you in lieu.

90-day trial periods

If you were employed on a 90-day trial period and dismissed within that window, you generally cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal. However, other grounds (discrimination, harassment, breach of good faith) still apply. Get advice if you're unsure.

Consider whether you have a personal grievance

If you believe you were dismissed unfairly — or that the process wasn't followed properly — you may have grounds for a personal grievance under the Employment Relations Act 2000.

You have 90 days from the date of dismissal to raise a personal grievance. This is a hard deadline. If you think you may have a case, don't wait.

Common grounds include:

Community Law Centres offer free legal advice across NZ. The Citizens Advice Bureau (0800 367 222) can point you to your nearest one.

What to do this week

Day 1–2
Get your paperwork together — employment agreement, payslips, any written communications about your dismissal or redundancy. You may need these later.
Day 2–3
Check your bank balance and calculate your runway — how many weeks can you cover your essential costs? This one number reduces anxiety more than anything else.
Day 3–5
Apply for Jobseeker Support through Work and Income NZ (WINZ). Don't delay — payments are not backdated, and there's a stand-down period based on your final pay.
Day 5–7
Update your CV and start telling your network. Not mass-applying — a short note to people who know your work. Most jobs are filled through connections, not job boards.

Applying for Jobseeker Support

Jobseeker Support is a weekly payment from Work and Income for people who have lost their job and are actively looking for work. It is not a benefit reserved for people in financial crisis — it exists for exactly this situation.

How much you'll receive depends on your age, relationship status, and whether you have dependent children. As a guide, single adults without dependants receive approximately $345–$390 per week (as of 2025). It won't replace a salary, but it provides a foundation.

The stand-down period

Most people face a stand-down period of one to two weeks before payments begin. The length depends on how much you received in your final pay. Apply as soon as possible — the stand-down starts from when you apply, not from when you lost your job.

How to apply

Apply online at workandincome.govt.nz or call 0800 559 009. You'll need your IRD number, bank account details, and information about your final pay.

Also worth checking

Accommodation Supplement — if your rent or mortgage is a significant portion of your income, you may qualify for additional support.

Temporary Additional Support (TAS) — for essential costs not covered by your main benefit.

Food grants — available through WINZ for immediate hardship. You don't need to be receiving a benefit to apply.

Your KiwiSaver

If you're in financial hardship, you may be able to make a significant financial hardship withdrawal from your KiwiSaver. This isn't a first resort — withdrawn funds lose their compounding growth — but it's there if you need it.

To qualify, you need to show that you cannot meet essential living costs including food, rent or mortgage, and medical treatment. Apply through your KiwiSaver provider directly.

You can also take a contributions holiday (now called a savings suspension) — just let your provider know and they'll stop deductions from your next pay.

Your mortgage or rent

If you own your home, contact your bank early — most offer mortgage repayment holidays of three to six months for customers experiencing hardship. The interest still accrues, but it buys you time. Banks prefer a proactive customer to one who stops paying without warning.

If you're renting, your obligations under your tenancy agreement continue. If you genuinely cannot pay, communicate with your landlord early and explore the Accommodation Supplement through WINZ.

A potential tax refund

If you've only worked part of the tax year, you may have overpaid tax — because PAYE is calculated assuming you'll earn the same amount for the full year. Once the tax year ends (31 March), Inland Revenue will automatically assess this, but you can also use myIR at ird.govt.nz to check. Refunds of a few hundred dollars are common.

Finding your next role

The job market has changed significantly. Most roles are still filled through networks and direct applications — but the way you approach it matters.

Start with your network, not job boards

Tell people you trust that you're looking. A short, direct message — "I've recently left [company] and I'm exploring opportunities in [field] — if you hear of anything relevant I'd love to know" — is all it takes. Most people are happy to help if you make it easy for them.

Update your CV before you apply anywhere

A CV written in a hurry shows. Take the time to do it properly — a strong CV opens doors that online applications alone won't. If you need help, our free CV builder creates a professional, tailored CV in minutes.

Main job boards in NZ

Not sure where to start? Answer 10 questions and get a personalised plan.

Get my free action plan →

Covers benefits, budget, CV, and job search — tailored to your situation

Looking after yourself

Job loss consistently ranks alongside bereavement and divorce as one of life's most stressful events. It affects identity, routine, finances, and relationships all at once. Taking that seriously isn't weakness — it's practical.

A few things that help: maintain a routine even without a job to go to. Be honest with people close to you about what's happening. Separate the job search from your self-worth — rejection is part of the process, not a verdict on you.

If you're struggling, your GP can refer you to mental health support, and the free counselling service 1737 (call or text) is available 24 hours a day.

Quick reference

This guide provides general information only — not legal or financial advice. For employment rights, consult a lawyer or Community Law. For financial decisions, speak with a financial adviser. Information current as of May 2026.

AU Guide · UK Guide · CA Guide · IE Guide

Privacy Notice