Employment lawyers | New Zealand employment law

Overview

We understand employment law

Our team are skilled and proactive at mediation, before the Employment Relations Authority and in court. New Zealand employment law is unique, and we regularly advise overseas clients with New Zealand-based employees.

Our strong relationships with key parties benefit you

We have excellent working relationships with the Mediation Service, the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, and other employment lawyers.

We also have good working relationships with key stakeholders in the employment relations field, including the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Council of Trade Unions and Business New Zealand.

These relationships assist our clients to achieve their objectives in a cost-effective and timely way.

We find solutions that work

We bring practical solutions to legal problems. We give legal and strategic advice to clients in the public and private sectors, and to individuals.

Our advice covers the full range of employment issues, including:

Design and implementation of change and restructuring processes
Advice on and representation in collective bargaining, and in other interactions with unions and collectivised workforces
Advice on mergers, acquisitions and outsourcing
Best practice for hiring and dismissing employees, managing performance, and investigating misconduct
Advice on avoiding and resolving employment matters like personal grievances, disputes, discrimination, harassment and bullying
Protection of confidential information and intellectual property, including the enforcement of restraints of trade
Negotiating and drafting employment agreements, policies and contracts for services
Independent investigations into serious misconduct and other complaints
Advice on holidays and leave
Advice on KiwiSaver and superannuation, information and privacy, accident compensation, and remuneration
Advice on medical, stress and disability issues.

Useful resources

Restructuring guidelines – this guide will take you through the steps for restructuring in New Zealand (this is a general guide, and not definitive advice for specific situations).

Download our restructuring guidelines here

Restraint of trade guidance – protect your organisation’s assets when employees leave.

Download our restraint of trade guide here

"They are outstanding. They help us explore all the options and assist us in putting together a good strategy, which is invaluable in a heavily unionised environment."

Chambers Asia-Pacific

"The ‘responsive’ and ‘very professional’ team at Buddle Findlay has a ‘strong customer focus’ and ‘always meets expectations’."

Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

"A professional, friendly and knowledgeable firm. Responsive lawyers who are able to guide clients through challenging processes efficiently and effectively."

Chambers Global

Tier 1, Employment - Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Experience

Sector / Expertise

Work highlights

New Zealand Customs Service

We represented New Zealand Customs Service in the Employment Relations Authority and on appeal in the Employment Court in a leading case on vaccination, and the application of tikanga to employment law.

Department of Corrections

We acted for the Department of Corrections in Employment Relations Authority proceedings.

Te Pūkenga New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology and Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand

We acted for Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora on the legal issues associated with the transfer of staff to the new entities.

Unitec New Zealand

We acted for Unitec New Zealand in the Employment Relations Authority.

Nestlé Health Science

We advised Nestlé Health Science on the acquisition of The Better Health Company (which includes the brands GO Healthy and Egmont Honey).

Covid-19 responses

We advised several employers on their Covid-19 response, including advice on vaccination policies and related decisions to terminate the employment of employees who were not vaccinated.

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