Conference Agenda
WELLINGTON / PÅŒNEKE : 17 September
AUCKLAND/TÄ€MAKI MAKAURAU : 10 September
8:30 Registration and Morning Refreshments
08:45
Welcome Address
08:50
Chairperson Welcome Address
Auckland:  Jaya De Zoete, Senior Associate, Kiely Thompson Caisley ​​
Wellington:  Chloe Luscombe, Partner, Dundas Street ​
09:00
Presentation: Overview of upcoming changes in employment law
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Proposed changes to dismissing high income earners and considerations for the transitional period
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How without prejudice discussions may change moving forward
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Update on the Holidays Act reform
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The government’s proposed contractor test
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Proposed changes for employees wishing to talk about their pay
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Potential changes to how remedies may be assessed
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Upcoming changes to New Zealand’s pay equity process
Auckland:  Helen Pryde, Special Counsel, Buddle Findlay ​​
Wellington:  Jordan Boyle, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law ​
09:45
Presentation: Health and safety update and psychosocial safety in practice
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Health and safety reform update
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Whakaari/White Island prosecutions – what can we take out of this litigation
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Proactively addressing mental harm and psychological risk
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Managing poor culture, stress claims, and bullying allegations
Auckland: June Hardacre, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Hamish Rossie, Senior Solicitor, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Wellington: Rob McStay, Senior Associate, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
10:30 Morning Tea
11:00
Presentation: Minimising privacy risk – global compliance essentials for HR
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Align HR strategy with evolving global data privacy laws and rising regulatory expectations
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Understand how international developments (e.g. EU, US, Australia) may impact New Zealand workplaces and employer obligations
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Prepare your organisation for cross-border data handling, employee surveillance, and AI-related compliance risks
Auckland: Edward Eisdell-Moore, Special Counsel, DLA Piper
Kieron Creagh, Senior Associate, DLA Piper
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Wellington: Edward Eisdell-Moore, Special Counsel, DLA Piper
Julia MacGibbon, Senior Associate, DLA Piper
11:45
Interactive scenario-based discussion: Flexible work requests – navigating the legal grey zone
Explore a real-world scenario under the Employment Relations Act. Examine how to respond to a flexible work request while balancing business needs, equity, and procedural fairness. ​
Auckland: John Farrow, Partner, Anderson Lloyd
Wellington: James Cowan, Senior Associate, Anderson Lloyd
12:30 Networking Lunch
01:20
Panel: Beyond the exit – enforcing post-employment obligations
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Restraints of trade: Non-solicitation and non-compete clauses in a NZ context
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Protecting confidential information, IP and client relationships
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What the courts will enforce—and what they won’t
Auckland: ​​Rosemary Wooders, Partner, Bell Gully
Kirsti Laird, Special Counsel, Wynn Williams
Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh
Jim Roberts, Partner, Hesketh Henry
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Wellington: ​Hanna Tevita, Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay
Kirsty Wallace, Special Counsel, Duncan Cotterill
Maddy Lister, Senior Associate, Russell McVeagh
Caroline Rieger, Managing Director, Black Door Law
02:05
Interactive roundtable discussions
Roundtable discussion to work through and resolve a common, yet complex HR issue whilst increasing awareness of relevant employment laws and policies.
​​Breakout A: Discrimination and DEI
Auckland: ​Kirsti Laird, Special Counsel, Wynn Williams​
Wellington: Kirsty Wallace, Special Counsel, Duncan Cotterill
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​​Breakout B: HR compliance meets emerging technology
Auckland: ​Arran Hunt, Partner, McVeagh Fleming
Michael Witt, Partner, McVeagh Fleming
Wellington: Emma von Veh, Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay
2:50 Afternoon Tea
03:20
Presentation: Personal grievances: minimising legal risk
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Handling unjustified disadvantages, dismissal, and discrimination claims
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Common employer missteps and how to avoid them
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Practical advice for early resolution and mediation
Auckland: ​India Townsend, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
Wellington: India Townsend, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
Mathew Barnett, Senior Solicitor, Simpson Grierson
04:05
Interactive scenario-based discussion: Investigating serious misconduct – ensuring a fair process and legal compliance
Auckland: Charlotte Evans, Senior Associate, Dentons
Georgina McAdam, Senior Associate, Dentons
Wellington: Renee Butler, Partner, Dentons
4:50 Chairperson’s Key Takeaways and Closing Address
5:00 End of Conference
