A mechanical maintenance engineer has been ordered to repay more than $21,000 in relocation costs after his employment at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter ended in disputed circumstances.
Morris Mukwakwami relocated from Wellington to Invercargill to take up the full-time role with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) in September 2024. As part of his appointment package, the company reimbursed $21,602.45 to meet his removal costs.
However, the employment agreement contained a clear recovery provision stating that if he resigned or was dismissed within 12 months of his commencement date, 100% of the relocation expenses had to be repaid. Mukwakwami's employment ended on September 10, 2025 – just 20 days shy of his one-year anniversary.
The Employment Relations Authority on Tuesday issued a compliance order forcing Mukwakwami to pay back the full $21,602.45. Authority member David G Beck ruled that Mukwakwami had failed to comply with the terms of his employment agreement and must proceed to address the debt owed.
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