Another Win for a Mathews Walker Client at the ERA
- Anne-Marie Dolan
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
In New Zealand employment law, a case 'goes for compliance' to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) when one party is asking the ERA to enforce an existing legal obligation or decision, rather than decide a brand-new dispute. If the ERA finds non-compliance, it can:
Order the party to comply immediately
Require payment of money owed
Impose penalties for breaches of employment law, and
In some cases, award additional remedies (like costs).
Below is a recent example of a Mathews Walker advocate successfully filing for compliance for a client at the ERA in Auckland .
Mathews Walker advocate, Kylie Thorne, recently took a case to the ERA seeking compliance regarding outstanding payments to our client for unpaid wages and legal fees, as well as interest and penalties for late payment. In the original hearing, our client was awarded $8338 in wage arrears and $4041.50 in legal fees, to be paid in three installments in 2025. While there had been partial payment made, the employer did not complete the payments and was requesting additional time due to financial difficulties, though failing to disclose what those difficulties were.
On investigation, the ERA found that the employer had breached the Record of Settlement as well as the Wages Protection Act 1983 in not paying the full amounts owing. The ERA found it was necessary to issue a compliance order on the basis of the non-payment. Compliance was ordered by the ERA to complete the initial payments within 28 days. Leave was reserved to return to the ERA for consideration of penalties and interest once these payments are made.
For further information on this case, the full determination is available at:
If you have an employment issue you need support with, our advocates are ready to support you in achieving a positive outcome - all the way to the ERA if required. Get in touch with an expert for a free consultation. Mathewswalker.co.nz | 0800 612 355
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Fantastic news.
Well done Matthews Walker.