How to resign in New Zealand: notice, letter and final pay

Found a new job, or simply ready to move on? Resigning well matters in New Zealand, where industries are small and your next employer may well call your current manager. This guide covers notice periods, how to write your resignation, what happens to your final pay, and how to leave on good terms. It is general information only: always check your own employment agreement first.

Check your employment agreement first

Your employment agreement is the starting point. Most agreements say how long your notice period is (for example, 4 weeks) and how notice must be given. Employment New Zealand notes that most agreements ask for resignation in writing.

If your agreement does not say what the notice period is, you must give "reasonable notice". There is no set timeframe, but Employment New Zealand says 2 to 4 weeks is generally seen as reasonable. What counts as reasonable can depend on your role, how long you have worked there, how much training a replacement would need and what is normal in your industry.

• Permanent employees: give the notice in your agreement, or reasonable notice if it is silent.
• Fixed-term employees: you still need to resign if you want to leave before the end date.
• Casual employees: usually do not need to give notice, but check your agreement.

Put your resignation in writing

Even if your agreement does not require it, it is best to resign in writing. An email or a short letter is the most common way. Avoid resigning only by text message: Employment New Zealand warns that texts can be open to interpretation. Your notice should clearly say two things: that you are resigning, and what your last day of work will be.

You can generate a clean, ready-to-send version with the free resignation letter generator.

Telling your manager

1. Tell your manager in person or on a call before (or at the same time as) you send the letter.
2. Keep it short and positive. You do not have to explain why you are leaving.
3. Offer to help with the handover: documents, training a colleague, finishing key tasks.
4. Agree on how and when the team and clients will be told.

Can you leave early, or can your employer end it early?

The notice period can be shortened or lengthened only if you and your employer both agree, and the agreement should be recorded in writing. Your employer cannot simply cut your notice short: if they want you to leave earlier and you do not agree, they must still pay you for the full notice period.

Payment in lieu of notice (being paid instead of working the notice) is only possible if it is in your employment agreement or you both agree to it. Garden leave, where you stay home on full pay during the notice period, also needs agreement.

If you leave without working your full notice, your employer only has to pay you for the days you actually worked and any approved paid leave. They can only deduct money for unworked notice if it reflects their actual loss and you agreed in writing, or your agreement has a valid deduction clause.

Your final pay

Your final pay should arrive on the pay day for your final pay period at the latest. It should include:

• Wages for the hours you worked up to your last day.
• Annual holiday pay owing: generally 8% of your gross earnings since your last anniversary date (less holidays already paid), plus any untaken entitlement from earlier years.
• Any public holiday or alternative holiday (day in lieu) pay owing.
• Any other payments set out in your agreement.

Sick leave and bereavement leave are not paid out when you leave, unless your agreement says otherwise. If something looks wrong, raise it with your employer first, then contact Employment New Zealand on 0800 20 90 20.

Changed your mind?

If you resign and later regret it, you can ask to withdraw your resignation, but your employer does not have to agree. If you resigned in the heat of the moment, speak to your employer as soon as possible to clear things up.

Leave on good terms

Ask your employer for a statement of service, which they should provide; they do not have to give you a reference unless they have agreed to. Before your last day, ask a manager or senior colleague if they would be happy to be a referee, and update your CV while your achievements are fresh. Our free CV builder makes it quick.