Holidays Act Remediation Project

Updated payment schedule as of 25 February 2025

Te Whatu Ora have released an updated remediation (payment) schedule for the Holidays Act Remediation Programme, set out below. In the updated schedule you can see they have included expected payment dates for current and former employees. Click on the image to open it in a new window.

We have been incredibly frustrated by the length of time it is taking to complete the programme and timeframes committed to by Te Whatu Ora have been repeatedly missed. We continue to work on issues with Te Whatu Ora such as how to ensure members who work in multiple roles receive their correct entitlement.

Former employees

It is important to know that the definition of a former employee for the purpose of this programme may also include people who finished employment in one part of Te Whatu Ora and started working in another, e.g. moving from one ward to another, one District to another, etc. As a result we recommend that all NZNO members register on the former employees portal to ensure that you receive all of the money you may be owed. You can register on the Te Whatu Ora website here: https://remediate.tewhatuora.govt.nz/hnz

Auckland Former employees

Te Whatu Ora have yet to confirm the likely payment dates for former employees at the three Auckland Metro Districts (Auckland, Counties Manukau and Waitemata). We have been informed that they expect these payments will be in the middle of this year. We will advise members as soon as we hear any more.

Holidays Act Remediation Programme - Background 

Work undertaken by the Labour Inspectorate of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment identified in 2016 that there were issues with DHB payroll systems and their compliance with the Holidays Act.  These meant that some employees weren’t receiving their correct leave entitlements.

The CTU wrote to the DHBs and the NZ Blood Service (NZBS) in May 2016 proposing a process to review DHBs’ compliance with the Holidays Act and to take a national approach to resolving issues of non-compliance.

The then DHBs, now Te Whatu Ora regions, continue to work through the process at varying rates. The National Programme Management Office publishes regular updates on the progress of each region. The latest editions are below.

 

Have you worked for a District Health Board or Te Whatu Ora at anytime since 1 May 2010? 

From Thursday 9 November 2023 you will be able to register to receive any underpayments as a result of non-compliance with the Holidays Act. Te Whatu Ora expect to make these payments in mid to late 2024.

Current employees will receive and, in some cases have already received their payments, however, if you have changed roles or workplaces you may also be entitled to these payments and should register. 

Do you need to register?

If you have worked at one of the Districts or Hospitals for many years, it is highly likely that you have changed jobs or moved departments. These will be considered former roles. You would have received a final payment for your former role when this change occurred.  Examples where you should register include:

  • “I used to be a nurse in A&E, and received a termination pay when I left that position. I then started as a Clinical Nurse Specialist on the Cardiac Unit.”
  • “I resigned and left health and now I’m back working for Te Whatu Ora.”
  • “I worked in a permanent position and when I changed roles, I received a termination payment before taking up a casual role.”
  • “I resigned from a multi job role.”

How to register

  1. Visit: www.remediate.tewhatuora.govt.nz 
  2. You will need: your employee number, an email address, and your Inland Revenue number.
  3. Fill out the registration form and complete any questions. Te Whatu Ora can then check your details.
  4. Check your email for the verification code (check your junk mail!)
  5. Wait to hear from Te Whatu Ora about any payment owed to you.

FAQs

Who does this apply to:

  • Current employees who are ‘former’ employees because they previously worked in a different part of Te Whatu Ora, or because they previously worked in their current location but in a different role and their employee record was ‘terminated’ in the payroll system
  • Former employees who worked for a District Health Board or Te Whatu Ora after 1 May 2010.
  • Those acting for former employees where the former employee is deceased or are incapacitated and unable to act for themselves.

When will former employees receive payment?

  • Payments to former employees will start next year, with most payments being made in 2024.

Why do the payment dates vary?

  • Payment dates vary for each payroll because of the different complexities being worked through by each project team. The projects are also being sequenced so that we manage the work required and the risk associated with changing payroll systems.

Why are Te Whatu Ora getting ready to remediate former employees when so many current employees haven’t yet been paid?

  • Each project team will remediate current employees first, then former employees.

Why aren’t current employees being paid out for all of their previous Te Whatu Ora work at one time?

  • The former District Health Boards and shared services agencies that formed Te Whatu Ora operated separate payroll systems, and project teams are working to rectify each system. Payment dates vary because of the different complexities being worked through by each team.

Auckland District remediation

On Thursday night 27 July, employees in the Te Toka Tomai Auckland Metro (Auckland District), will receive any remediation payments into their bank accounts. These payments relate to a 13-year period (from 1 May 2010) and at this stage covers current employees. Former employees will be part of a process which is expected to be available on 20 August. More information can be found by logging into the Holiday Remediation portal on Hippo, where you can also send any questions to the Employee Support Centre. Booths are being set up from 28 July around the hospitals covered under Auckland and there are booths by IRD and MSD in Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane.

Holidays Act remediation updates sent to NZNO members

Take action - send a message to Te Whatu Ora

 

Although Te Whatu Ora confirmed they would approve the resources that had been ‘paused’ per NZNO’s request, they have still not have confirmed dates for remediation payments. These ongoing delays and lack of certainty about remediation dates have angered members. NZNO is currently in the process of raising a claim against Te Whatu Ora with the Employment Relations Authority for their failure to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding.

We’ve also started an online action where members can send an overdue notice to Te Whatu Ora, highlighting how unacceptable we find this situation. Even if you have been paid yourself, stand with those who are still waiting. 

You can send your overdue notice here.