A narrow escape there, you would have ended up in a very poor financial position, it was a shocking contract.

As an employee you would have been entitled to 4 weeks leave, sick leave, and your ACC and tax would have been paid on your behalf, without you needing a tax professional to do it for you. You would also have been paid for 11 statutory holidays, or recieved extra pay if you were required to work them.

Assuming ACC at 3%, 4 weeks annual leave, one weeks sick leave, and 11 statutory days..

Potential year 52 weeks
less leave 47 weeks
less stat days 45 weeks

actual employee hours = 1800, but paid for 2080

So an employee with an hourly rate of $13 would gross $27040

A contractor at $13 would gross $23400, but have to pay ACC at $700 so would start for $22700

Or way way less than the minimum adult wage.