How Employers Can Use Labour Hire in New Zealand: A Practical Guide

Finding the right staff quickly is one of the biggest challenges for many New Zealand businesses—especially during seasonal peaks, large projects, or unexpected staff shortages. Labour hire (also known as temporary staffing) offers a fast, flexible, and compliant way to get the workers you need, when you need them.

If you’re an employer considering labour hire for the first time—or looking to improve how you work with a provider—this guide will walk you through the process, compliance tips, and best practices.

1. When Should Employers Use Labour Hire?

Labour hire is ideal for situations where you need staff without going through a lengthy recruitment process. Common scenarios include:

Seasonal demand – e.g., busy holiday periods in retail, or peak harvest times in horticulture.
Project-based work – e.g., construction projects requiring extra hands for a few months.
Unexpected staff shortages – covering sick leave, parental leave, or sudden resignations.
Specialised skills – bringing in experts for short-term technical roles.

2. How the Labour Hire Process Works

The process is straightforward and can be broken into a few key steps:

Step 1: Share Your Requirements

You tell the labour hire provider the type of role, skills needed, location, start date, and expected duration.

Step 2: Candidate Sourcing

The provider searches their talent pool, screens candidates, checks references, and ensures they meet compliance and visa requirements.

Step 3: Placement & Onboarding

The selected worker starts at your site. The provider handles contracts, payroll, taxes, and insurance.

Step 4: Ongoing Support

If you need to extend, replace, or add more staff, you simply contact the provider—they take care of the rest.

3. Compliance and Legal Responsibilities

Using a labour hire service doesn’t remove all your obligations as a host employer. You must:

Provide a safe work environment in compliance with New Zealand health and safety laws.
Clearly define job duties to avoid misunderstandings.
Supervise and manage day-to-day tasks while the provider manages employment-related matters.

The labour hire agency, on the other hand, is responsible for:

Employing the worker and paying wages.
Handling tax, Kiwisaver, and ACC cover.
Providing employment agreements and ensuring employment law compliance.

4. Tips for Choosing the Right Labour Hire Provider

Not all providers are the same. To get the best results, look for an agency that:

Has experience in your industry and understands your staffing needs.
Is fully compliant with New Zealand labour laws.
Conducts thorough background checks and reference checks.
Offers responsive customer service and dedicated account managers.
Can supply both short-term and long-term placements.

5. Advantages for Employers

By partnering with a reliable labour hire company, you can:

Save time – no advertising, interviewing, or onboarding.
Control costs – only pay for the hours or days worked.
Scale your workforce – quickly adapt to changing business demands.
Access pre-vetted talent – get workers who are ready to start immediately.

6. How We Support Employers

We work closely with businesses across New Zealand to deliver:

Skilled and reliable workers for construction, manufacturing, warehousing, agriculture, and more.
Visa-compliant placements, including AEWV holders.
Fast turnaround—often within 24 to 48 hours.
Flexible arrangements from a single day to several months.

Final Thoughts

Labour hire is a smart way for employers to stay productive, competitive, and adaptable in today’s fast-moving business environment. By choosing the right provider and understanding the process, you can secure the talent you need—without the stress of traditional recruitment.