First-time team leader: free online awareness course for New Zealand workers
For people just promoted from the floor: clear tasks, delegating, check-ins, short talks, fair rosters, health and safety, and what to pass up the line.
About 37 min
5 short modules
15 questions
80% to pass
About this course
You were good at the job, so now you lead the people doing it. Nobody showed you how. This course covers the first weeks: what changes with your workmates, handing out work, checking in without hovering, short one-to-ones and toolbox talks, fair rosters, health and safety, and what to pass up the line.
It is general awareness and not legal advice. Some of it rests on New Zealand guidance and law, and some of it is our own practical suggestion. The lessons tell you which is which, and your workplace's policies come first.
You can study and sit the assessment free, with no account. Employment New Zealand also runs free online learning modules on employment rights and obligations, linked on this page, and you may prefer them. Pay only if you pass and want our certificate.
What you will learn
Find out what you can decide, and treat former workmates by the same rules as everyone else
Hand over a task by saying what is needed, agreeing who and when, checking in and recognising the result
Tell checking in apart from hovering
Run a short one-to-one and a toolbox talk where people have their say
Explain how a PCBU, an officer and a worker differ, and act on what workers report
Share shifts fairly and respond early to signs of conflict
Pass up pay, leave, contract and grievance matters without making promises you cannot keep
Who this course is for
New team leaders and supervisors who have just been promoted from the floor
Experienced hospitality, care and cleaning workers who lead a shift or cover for a manager
Anyone thinking about applying for a first team leader job
How the course works
1. From workmate to team leaderWhat changes when you are promoted from the floor, and how to find out what is yours to decide.About 4 min, ending with a quick check
2. Being clear, delegating and checking inA four-step way to hand over a task, and how to keep an eye on it without standing over anyone.About 5 min, ending with a quick check
3. Short one-to-ones and toolbox talksTwo small habits that help you hear about problems early, and what each one should include.About 5 min, ending with a quick check
4. Health and safety when you lead a teamWho holds which duty, why you ask workers, what to do with what they report, and what changes in 2027.About 7 min, ending with a quick check
5. Fair rosters, early conflict and what to pass upHow to share shifts fairly, what to do when tension starts, and why you should not promise pay, leave or contract changes.About 8 min, ending with a quick check
Sit the assessment15 questions drawn at random. You need 80% to pass, and there is no time limit. If you do not pass, you will see which topics to review, then try again with a new set of questions.Free, and so are retries
If you pass, the certificate is your choiceYou pay once, then get the PDF straight away and a copy by email. Your place is saved on this device the whole way, with no sign-up.NZ$24.90, optional
Sample. Yours shows your name, the course, the date and an ID anyone can check.
What this certificate does and does not show
This is general awareness of everyday team leading. It is not a qualification or legal advice, and it does not show that you or your employer meet any legal duty.
It does not change what you are allowed to decide. Your employment agreement, your workplace's policies and your manager set that, so follow them where they differ from this course.
Warnings, investigations, dismissal and personal grievances need your employer's formal process and often HR or legal advice. This course tells you when to pass them up. It does not teach you to run them.
The habits for delegating, one-to-ones and toolbox talks are our own practical suggestions. Where we rely on a New Zealand source, the lesson names it.
If you go straight to the assessment without completing the modules, your certificate is titled Certificate of Knowledge Assessment, because that is what it records.
How is this different from Employment New Zealand's free modules?
Employment New Zealand's free modules introduce employment rights and obligations. They are linked on this page, and you may prefer them. This course is about the everyday side of leading a team: handing out work, short talks, fair rosters and knowing what to pass up.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is general awareness, and every workplace is different. For a real problem, start with your manager or HR. Employment New Zealand's free line on 0800 20 90 20 gives general information, and for legal advice you would need a lawyer or a community law centre.
Am I legally responsible for health and safety now that I lead a team?
You have a worker's duties, including taking reasonable care of yourself and others. WorkSafe says team leaders and supervisors are not officers unless they also fall into an officer category, and that the business is ultimately responsible for workers' health and safety. This is a general answer, so ask your manager what your workplace expects of you.
My employer wants me to have health and safety training. Who pays?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 says a business must not charge workers for anything done or provided for health and safety, and WorkSafe says businesses must make sure workers have adequate training or supervision. If your employer requires workplace health and safety training, ask whether they provide or fund it before purchasing this optional certificate. Study and the assessment here are free. This awareness course does not replace workplace-specific training or induction.
Will my employer accept the certificate?
Ask them first. Each employer decides what training it accepts. The certificate shows that you passed this assessment. It is not a qualification, and it does not show that you can do the job.
What if my workplace does things differently from this course?
Follow your workplace's process, because employment agreements and policies often set steps that have to be followed. If something seems unfair, unsafe or below minimum rights, ask your manager or HR. You can also call Employment New Zealand for general information.
Official sources behind this course
The lessons are original summaries of these sources. For your own situation, the source is what counts.
Version 1.0.1, last checked 2026-11-03. Approved for publication by our editor on 2026-11-09. Not reviewed by an external professional. How we check our content.
For people already running a team: routines, workload, conflict between two people, keeping everyone included, coaching, change, and looking after yourself.
For new managers in New Zealand: priorities, roster costs, hiring, agreements, trial periods, leave, flexible requests, safety duties and when to get advice.
38 min
5 modules
Free to study
Certificate NZ$24.90if you pass
View course
Passed 2 or more courses? Buy their certificates together and pay 20% less.
