Ben O'Connell
On 24 September 2023, daylight saving time will begin for New Zealand. Kiwis will lose an hour of sleep as clocks move forward.
Daylight saving starts each year at 2am on the last Sunday in September, and ends at 3am on the first Sunday in April.
It’s well known that daylight savings causes sleep disturbances which lead to productivity losses, so there is downside to having an hour of extra daylight.
By some estimates, the United States loses a national total of $434 million USD every time the clock shifts. https://www.chmura.com/blog/2016/march/11/sleepbetter-lost-hour-economic-index
The linked 2009 study notes that ‘cyberloafing’ – using work computers for non-work purposes – also increases when daylight savings time occurs.
Per the government’s website, “If you are working when daylight saving begins and the clocks go forward, you actually work an hour less, but you are entitled to payment for your normal hours.”
“For example, if you were meant to work from midnight to 8am you will only work 7 hours, but you are entitled to be paid for 8 hours of work.
“If you are working when daylight saving ends and clocks go back an hour you are entitled to any extra hours that you work.
“So, if you were meant to be working from midnight to 8am but actually work 9 hours you will be paid for 9 hours of work.
“Early Sunday morning was chosen for the changeover because fewer people are working at that time, and this reduces the impact on workers and employers.” See https://www.govt.nz/browse/recreation-and-the-environment/daylight-saving for more.