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8:30

Registration and Arrival Coffee

8:45

Welcome Address

8:50

Chairperson’s Opening Address: The Employment Law Shifts HR Cannot Ignore

With sweeping reforms the last 12 months, this session highlights where organisations are most exposed and what HR leaders should prioritise now.

Auckland: Simon Lapthorne, Partner, Kiely Thompson Caisley

Wellington: Chloe Luscombe, Partner, Dundas Street

9:05

Keynote Address: Employment Law in New Zealand – The Year of Major Reform
[Streamed from Auckland 🎥]

New Zealand has undergone one of the most significant periods of employment law reform in recent years, with major changes introduced through the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026. In this keynote, a Member of the Employment Relations Authority will share insights into the reforms reshaping employer obligations and the practical implications for HR leaders navigating an evolving workplace landscape.

Peter Fuiava, Authority Member, Employment Relations Authority

9:50

Interactive Scenario: The Gig Economy, Contractors and the New Gateway Test

The Uber decisions and the introduction of the contractor gateway test have reshaped workforce models. This session explores how organisations can manage contractor risk and structure arrangements with confidence

Auckland: Daniel Erikson, Employment Partner, Tompkins Wake

Wellington: Jordan Boyle, Partner, Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law

10:35

Morning Tea

10:55

Interactive Scenario: Absenteeism, Medical Incapacity and ACC

Employees and their health are a constant issue for managers and HR professionals.  This can range from frequent sick leave to employees being away from work because of long term injury or illness.  These issues may also involve ACC. This interactive session works through real-world scenarios to help HR leaders identify risks, respond appropriately, and avoid legal exposure.

Auckland: Emma Peterson, Partner, Russell McVeagh

Wellington: Maddy Lister, Senior Associate, Russell McVeagh

11:40

Interactive Scenario: Workplace Health and Safety - Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace

Drugs and alcohol continue to create complex employment and health and safety challenges for New Zealand employers. This session explores and responding to drugs and alcohol risks while maintaining procedural fairness. It will also examine proposed health and safety reforms and what employers should prepare for.

Auckland: Ashley-Jayne (AJ) Lodge, Partner, Anderson Lloyd

Wellington: James Cowan, Partner, Anderson Lloyd

12:25

Networking Lunch

1:10

Streamed Keynote: Equality, Pay Transparency and the Changing Employment Landscape

With employment law reform continuing to reshape workplace obligations, this keynote will examine what recent changes mean for equality, fairness and employer accountability in practice. From pay transparency protections and pay equity developments to the broader push for more inclusive workplaces, this session will explore how HR leaders can respond to changing expectations. Professor Gail Pacheco will bring a practical and evidence-informed perspective on how employers can embed fairness, transparency and accountability into workplace decision-making.

Professor Gail Pacheco, Kaihautū Ōritenga Mahi Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission

1:45

Breakout Sessions

Breakout A: AI, Employment and Privacy Risk

As employers increasingly adopt AI for recruitment, performance management and workforce planning, new legal risks are emerging across privacy, discrimination and employee monitoring. This session explores how to use AI responsibly while maintaining compliance with employment and privacy obligations.

Topics include:

• AI in recruitment and discrimination risk

• Employee monitoring and privacy obligations

• AI in performance and disciplinary decisions

• Transparency and consultation when introducing AI

• Governance frameworks for responsible AI use

Auckland: Laura Scampion, Country Managing Partner, DLA Piper

Wellington: Carl Blake, Partner, DLA Piper

Breakout B: Bullying and Harassment – Prevention and Managing a Complaint

This continues to be an issue that both managers and hr professionals are required to manage.

Topics include:

• Anti bullying and harassment policies. Considerations for your next review.

• Can themes in a workplace survey be enough to trigger an investigation process?

• Steps when managing a complaint.

• An Employer’s obligation to the complaint and the respondent.

• Different outcomes for the employment relationships at the end of the process.

Auckland: Alastair Espie, Partner, Duncan Cotteril

Wellington: Kirsty Wallace, Partner, Duncan Cotteril

2:30

Afternoon Tea

2:50

Panel: Preparing for Upcoming Employment Law Reforms

Several significant employment law reforms are on the horizon. This panel explores what employers should expect, including the proposed replacement of the Holidays Act and potential changes to allow “protected conversations” when initiating mutual termination discussions. Learn how to prepare for change and minimise risk ahead of implementation.

Auckland:

• Charlotte Evans, Special Counsel, Dentons

• Georgina McAdam, Senior Associate, Dentons

• Rob McStay, Senior Associate, MinterEllisonRuddWatts

• Jim Roberts, Partner, HeskethHenry,

Wellington:

• Katie Alexander, Senior Associate, Dentons

• Sally Togher, Senior Associate, Dentons

• Bonnie Simmonds, Senior Associate, MinterEllisonRuddWatts

• Megan Vant, Partner, Dundas Street

3:35

Interactive Scenario: Personal Grievances and High Earning Employees

Pay Transparency and Workplace Culture

As introduced by the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026, new grievance thresholds are changing how organisations manage senior employees. Learn what this means for employment agreements, performance management and exit risk.

Auckland: Helen Pryde, Partner, Buddle Findlay

Wellington: Emma Von Veh, Partner, Buddle Findlay

4:20

Chairperson’s Closing Remarks