Holidays Act: no vacation for taxpayers

Prison officers got back pay, but the Holidays Act is hard for taxpayers to celebrate. (Image: Department of Corrections)

Nikitin Sallee

Thu, 25 Jul 2024

Let’s pay billions of dollars and get nothing new for it. That’s the outcome for taxpayers as the public sector resolves its Holidays Act problems. This is the second in a series of three articles.After at least eight years of trying, most government agencies have now complied with their Holidays Act obligations.But the worst isn’t over for New Zealand’s taxpayers.More than $2.5 billion has been accrued for Holidays Act “remediation” – back pay – that has yet to be paid out. That means the mo...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk: Thursday, July 25

What was the name of the policeman in Enid Blyton’s Noddy stories?What first name is shared by a British actress with the surname Blunt and a New Zealand writer with the surname Perkins?Which attracts tourists to Neuschwanstein, in Bavaria: a castle, an opera festival or a motor...

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Technology Free Podcast