New Zealand’s Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling that could reshape the country’s gig-work landscape, confirming that four Uber drivers who challenged the ride-hailing company were, in fact, employees. The unanimous decision upholds a 2022 Employment Court finding and shuts down Uber’s latest appeal, ending a multi-year legal battle over worker classification.
The case was initiated by two unions on behalf of the drivers, who argued that Uber exercised tight control over essential aspects of their work — including fares, performance expectations, and access to the platform. The Supreme Court agreed, noting that the drivers operated within a framework set almost entirely by Uber and had little negotiating power over key terms.
Worker advocates say the ruling carries consequences well beyond the four drivers involved in the case. The Workers First Union welcomed the judgment, saying it “paves the way for thousands” of drivers and delivery workers to seek minimum wage protections, paid leave entitlements, and potentially compensation for historical underpayment. The union also signalled that it plans to pursue collective bargaining on behalf of gig workers across the country.
Uber Australia & New Zealand Managing Director Emma Foley expressed disappointment, warning that the ruling creates uncertainty for contractor-based business models in New Zealand. She added that Uber and Uber Eats will continue to operate normally while the company assesses the broader implications.
Legal experts say the ruling aligns New Zealand with several international jurisdictions — including the UK — where courts have found Uber drivers to be workers or employees rather than contractors. Although this decision directly affects only the four drivers at the centre of the case, it sets a powerful precedent that could prompt a wave of claims and accelerate regulatory scrutiny of gig-economy practices in New Zealand.
NZ Supreme Court rules Uber drivers are employees in landmark gig work case
