Employment Relations Act 2000, ss 69AAE-69AAG
Your employer has to respond to your request for different work arrangements as soon as possible, and not later than one month after receiving it.
When they tell you their decision, this has to be in writing. If they refuse your request, they have to give you the reasons for this.
Your employer can only refuse your request on one of the set grounds specified in the Employment Relations Act. These include, for example, that:
they wouldn’t be able to reorganise your work among the other staff
the arrangement would have a negative effect on work quality or work performance
there wouldn’t be work available for you to do during the times you propose to work
the arrangements would cost more.
Your employer must refuse your request if you’re covered by a collective employment agreement and the flexible working arrangements would be inconsistent with the agreement.