Peter Humphreys v Attorney-General - SC 44/2024
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Summary
Civil Appeal
Result
A The application for leave to appeal by Ms Fleming is granted in part to the extent described below (Attorney-General v Fleming [2024] NZCA 92).
B The approved questions are whether the Court of Appeal was correct:
(i) to determine that Ms Fleming was not “engaged, employed or contracted” by the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora as a “homeworker” under s 5 of the Employment Relations Act 2000; and
(ii) as to the test for “work” when work is conducted by homeworkers who work overnight in their home.
C The application for leave to appeal by Mr Humphreys is granted (Attorney-General v Fleming [2024] NZCA 92).
D The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal was correct to determine that Mr Humphreys was not “engaged, employed or contracted” by the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora as a “homeworker” under s 5 of the Employment Relations Act 2000 for the period from August 2020 onwards when in receipt of funding under the Individualised Funding scheme.
E Counsel in both appeals are asked to address the matters set out at [1]–[2] below.
4 October 2024
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A Ms Fleming’s appeal (SC 42/2024) is allowed.
B The Employment Court declaration as to Ms Fleming’s employee status is reinstated.
C The question of determination of the quantum of remedies for Ms Fleming is remitted to the Employment Court.
D Mr Humphreys’ appeal (SC 44/2024) is allowed.
E The Employment Court declaration as to Mr Humphreys’ employee status is reinstated.
F The first respondent must pay the appellant in SC 44/2024 costs of $50,000 plus usual disbursements. We allow for second counsel.
G Subject to Order F, costs in SC 42/2024 and SC 44/2024 are otherwise reserved. If parties cannot agree on costs, counsel are to file memoranda (maximum of 5 pages) on costs; counsel for Ms Fleming by 5 February 2026 and each of the respondents by 19 February 2026.
9 December 2025
Date of Hearing
29 April 2025 — 30 April 2025
Judges
Winkelmann CJ, Ellen France, Williams, Kós and Miller JJ
Case Synopses
Submissions from counsel
- Hearing date 29 30 April 2025 Appellant submissions (PDF 5.7 MB)
- Hearing date 29 30 April 2025 First respondent submissions (PDF 1010 KB)
- Hearing date 29 30 April 2025 Second respondent submissions (PDF 965 KB)
- Hearing date 29 30 April 2025 Intervener submissions (HRC) (PDF 301 KB)
- Hearing date 29 30 April 2025 Intervener submissions (ADL) (PDF 450 KB)
Hearing Transcripts
Related Documents
Employment Court decision — PETER HUMPHREYS v SIAN JIMENEZ HUMPHREYS [2021] NZEmpC 217 [8 December 2021]
Court of Appeal decision — ATTORNEY-GENERAL v CHRISTINE FLEMING [2024] NZCA 92 [9 April 2024]
Leave judgment - leave granted — FLEMING v ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2024] NZSC 132 [4 October 2024] (PDF 220 KB)
Substantive judgment — FLEMING v ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2025] NZSC 188 [9 December 2025] (PDF 571 KB)