That's only in the case where you're over-paid, or paid up-front - in which case you've been paid for a month, and if leaving in 2 weeks you'd only be paid for

That's only in the case where you're over-paid, or paid up-front - in which case you've been paid for a month, and if leaving in 2 weeks you'd only be paid for the time you worked. Very different to being liable for finding a new hire. The employment court of New Zealand is very favourable to employees. Even if something was contractually obligated - it can easily be null and void by the court if they deem it unreasonably overreaching by the employer.