# Employment agreements Official source: https://www.employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/employment-agreements Scanned: 2026-06-07T03:31:31.402Z Use this as a current official guidance reference, not as a substitute for legal advice. ## Page Text Home Starting employment Employment agreements Starting employment Employment agreements Employment agreements have the terms and conditions of employment. Every employee must have a written employment agreement. Starting employment Rights and responsibilities Types of worker Hiring Employment agreements Creating an employment agreement Collective and individual employment agreements Negotiating and accepting as an employee Offering and negotiating as an employer Restraint of trade Creating an employment agreement You must give every employee a written employment agreement, making it clear what is expected from them and what they’re entitled to while working for you. Collective and individual employment agreements A potential employer must give you either a collective employment agreement or an individual employment agreement. Negotiating and accepting as an employee Your employer must give you a written employment agreement. You can negotiate additional terms and conditions in the agreement with your employer. Even if they are not written in the agreement – you are still entitled to the minimum employment rights set in the law. Offering and negotiating as an employer You should be open to negotiating terms in the employment agreement if an employee requests changes. Restraint of trade A restraint of trade clause prevents former employees from working in similar businesses in a way that may affect your business.