What is Labour Hire? A Must-Know Guide for Employers and Job Seekers in New Zealand
In New Zealand’s dynamic job market, labour hire—also known as temporary staffing—has become a go-to solution for many businesses and job seekers. Whether you’re a company looking to scale your workforce quickly, or a job seeker hoping to gain local experience, understanding how labour hire works can open doors to new opportunities.
1. What is Labour Hire?
Labour hire is a work arrangement where a third-party agency (like us) provides workers to another company on a temporary or project basis. While the workers perform their job at the host company’s site, they remain employed by the labour hire agency—which means we take care of payroll, tax, holiday pay, and more.
Example:
A construction firm needs five electricians for a three-month project. Rather than hiring them directly, they contact a labour hire company to supply qualified workers. This saves time, reduces paperwork, and offers flexibility.
2. How is Labour Hire Different from Direct Employment?
Many businesses wonder if they should hire staff directly or go through a labour hire provider. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
- Employment Relationship - In labour hire, the worker is officially employed by the agency—not the client company.
- Payroll and Compliance - The agency handles wages, Kiwisaver, PAYE taxes, ACC cover, and leave entitlements. The client simply pays an agreed hourly or project rate.
- Flexibility - Labour hire allows you to scale your team up or down based on workload, without the long-term commitment or legal complexity of hiring directly.
- Hiring Process - Labour hire providers take care of recruitment, screening, onboarding, and timesheets. That’s a major time-saver compared to traditional recruitment.
- Risk Management - Since the worker is our employee, we take care of liability, insurance, and workplace compliance.
3. Benefits of Labour Hire for Employers
✅ Speed & Convenience
Quickly fill gaps due to leave, seasonal peaks, or urgent projects.
✅ Reduced Admin & Cost
Avoid the burden of advertising, interviewing, payroll setup, and HR paperwork.
✅ Workforce Flexibility
Get skilled workers when you need them, and scale back when you don’t.
✅ Risk Mitigation
We manage the employment relationship, so you stay focused on your business.
4. Why Job Seekers Should Consider Labour Hire
🧭 Faster Access to Work
Especially for migrants, student visa holders, or those new to the job market, labour hire offers a direct path into the local workforce.
💼 Flexible Working Arrangements
Choose short-term, part-time, or full-time projects that suit your lifestyle.
🌱 Opportunity for Long-Term Roles
Perform well, and the host company may offer you a permanent job.
🤝 Career Support
A good labour hire agency doesn’t just send you to work—they support you with advice, training, and future opportunities.
5. Industries Where Labour Hire is in High Demand
Labour hire is widely used across various sectors in New Zealand, including:
- Construction & Trades (builders, electricians, carpenters)
- Manufacturing & Warehousing (machine operators, forklift drivers, packers)
- Agriculture & Horticulture (fruit picking, seasonal field work)
- Cleaning & Facilities Maintenance
- Hospitality & Event Support
6. How We Can Help
We provide professional, compliant labour hire solutions for both employers and job seekers:
- Fast and reliable workforce supply
- Fully managed payroll, compliance, and onboarding
- Skilled workers matched to your specific needs
- Options for short-term, long-term, and project-based assignments
- Visa-compliant placements available (AEWV & open work visa holders)
📣 Final Thoughts
Labour hire is more than just “temp work”—it’s a modern, efficient way to connect businesses with talent and help workers build real career opportunities.