Retail, hospitality, tourism and airline job losses: hours cut, closures and your rights

When your hours are cut, not your job

Many people in retail and hospitality see their shifts shrink rather than being made redundant. Your rights depend on your agreement.

• If your agreement guarantees hours, your employer cannot cut them without agreement. A unilateral cut can be a breach, and may be a personal grievance.
• If your agreement has no guaranteed hours, it should still say how availability and cancellation work. Employers generally cannot require you to be available without paying reasonable compensation. Check the Employment Relations Act rules on availability provisions with Employment NZ.
• Shifts cancelled at short notice should be paid, unless your agreement provides a fair alternative. Ask in writing.
• If your hours and income have dropped, you may qualify for Jobseeker Support as a top-up. Work and Income looks at your weekly income. Use the benefit estimator.

When a shop, cafe or chain closes

1. A closure is a redundancy if your role disappears. The employer should consult you where possible and pay notice and final pay.
2. If the business is in liquidation, you file a claim with the liquidator. Wages and holiday pay for the last four months have priority up to a cap. See the liquidation guide.
3. Gift cards, bond or bookings: these are not employee claims, but if you are owed commission or tips, mention them.
4. Take photographs of your roster and payslips before the staff system shuts down.
5. If a business is sold, your employment might transfer. Ask Employment NZ whether you are covered by the Employment Relations Act vulnerable-worker protections (which have applied to some cleaning, catering, laundry, orderly and caretaking roles). Coverage is changing, so check current rules.

Airlines and aviation

Chris Lynch Media reported on 31 July 2026 that Air New Zealand was consulting on proposed engineering cuts: nine light-maintenance roles at Christchurch, a further 12 engineering roles at Nelson (with at least three office staff already gone), and more reductions under consideration in Auckland with no number given. The same report cites a $59 million loss before tax for the first half of the 2026 financial year, against a $144 million profit a year earlier. No final decision had been announced, and figures may have changed. Check Air New Zealand's announcements and your union.

• Aviation licences (LAME, pilot ratings) are transferable to other operators and countries but need to be kept current.
• Airport, ground handling and catering staff: contract-based roles change when contracts transfer, so check whether you move with the work.
• Regional airports and charter operators sometimes hire when major airlines cut.

Tourism and seasonal work

Tourism has seasonal peaks, and visitor numbers vary. In shoulder seasons, ask your employer in writing about hours, and make sure you are paid for all training and trial shifts. If you move for season work, check housing and what happens when the season ends.

Work and Income offers redeployment support for people facing redundancy. Its page says you can contact them before your job ends, even if no decisions have been made. Support can include a named contact who helps with your CV and cover letter, looks for jobs or training, connects you with employers and arranges financial support between jobs.

• Email RedeploymentSupport@msd.govt.nz (the address Work and Income lists for redundancy support).
• Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 to talk about payments such as Jobseeker Support or a Transition to Work Grant.
• Book a free career conversation with the Direct Career Service on 0800 222 733.