From the chair

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou – warmest greetings to you all.

I am honoured and privileged to have been appointed chair of the NZLS CLE Biennial Employment Law Conference. On behalf of the organising committee, I am delighted to invite you to the conference in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland and look forward to welcoming everyone.

A lot has changed since our last conference. Employment law practitioners operate in a rapidly changing world where developments in legislation, common law, technology and an ever-changing society mean we all must be agile in order to remain relevant and respond to employment issues. This conference will cover not only developments in New Zealand, but also larger issues including international obligations and modern slavery.

In addition to looking to the future, we acknowledge our past and recognise its impact on our present. As such, I am pleased to announce that we will welcome Ned Fletcher, historian, lawyer and award-winning author, and Dr Hana O’Regan, academic, Māori language advocate and an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to education, as our guest speakers. Ned and Hana will open our conference with a kōrero on the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relevance to employment practitioners today.

As always, we have a wonderful selection of speakers covering a variety of matters, with conference papers to take away and consider afterwards. The conference will also provide attendees with a refresher on important day-to-day issues such as advocacy in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court, sexual harassment and remedies.

The conference is not only an opportunity to learn, but also for whanaungatanga. It is an opportunity to establish, develop and maintain relationships amongst our colleagues in this challenging field. We are extremely fortunate that the employment bar is excellent at collegiality and this conference provides an occasion not only to learn, but also to foster these connections. I hope you will all take this opportunity, whether online or in person, to connect with fellow attendees as we develop our understanding of the industry together.

I look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Noho ora mai rā,

Chair: Her Honour Judge M S King, Kaiwhakawā King, Employment Court, Auckland

Programme outline

Download PDF brochure for a full outline of each session

Day 1 Mihi Whakatau (held for in-person attendees only) Keynote: In Good Faith - British understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 Keynote: Not All Roads Lead to Rome, Nor Indeed to Wellington - the relationship between the Māori experience of employment and the power dynamics in our history Independent Investigations - best practice or buck-passing? Breakout Session* A - Disciplinary Meeting Skills B - Enforcement options Mediation Breakout Session* A - Tuning in to the Employment Relations Authority Investigation Process: Discharging your obligations to the Authority and your clients B - FMZ v TZB: Practical effects of the Supreme Court's judgment - how this has changed Authority claims and what it means for you "A Very Unruly Horse"? Exploring protected disclosures, freedom of expression and name suppression Networking drinks and canapés

Day 2 Keynote: Sailing on Uncertain Seas: Employment Law in Aotearoa New Zealand 2024 - in search of the lighthouse Key Issues Shaping the Workplace in 2024 Exploitation and Modern Slavery Breakout Session* A - Appearing Before the Employment Court: Insights and tips focused on practical litigation skills B - What We Do (And Don't Do) With the Crew: Workplace romances in the modern era  Psychological Hazards - getting it right for clients and legal professionals Remedies and Costs - what's the point?

* Note: The most popular breakout session for each time slot will be web streamed.

Learning objectives

In this conference you will be:

• Updated on topical issues, legislation and case law.
• Able to apply this knowledge in your practice.

Book

Please indicate your selection upon registration:

• Hard Copy - Your book will be given to you when you register on the day* - no extra charge 
• PDF - You will be emailed a PDF copy of the book 3 working days before the event - no extra charge 
• Both Hard Copy & PDF - You will be emailed a PDF copy of the book 3 working days before the event, and you can collect the hard copy book when you register on the day* - additional $30 charge

*Live web stream attendees - if you select hard copy or both - your book will be couriered to you.

Timing

Note: live web stream registrations close 3pm Wednesday 30 October

Conference Day 1 - 31 October

• 7.45am - Arrival for Mihi Whakatau and Registration
• 8.00am - Mihi Whakatau
• 8.30am - Kai Whakanoa and Registration
• 9.00am - Sessions begin
• 5.15pm - Sessions end followed by networking drinks and canapés

Conference Day 2 - 1 November

• 9.00am - Sessions begin
• 4.00pm - Sessions end

Pre-Conference Cocktail Function

Bell Gully's employment law team extends an invitation to all conference speakers and attendees to join the Employment Court Judges, members of the Employment Relations Authority and mediators for a pre-conference cocktail function. 

• When: 5.30pm, Wednesday 30 October
• Where: Bell Gully, Level 14 Deloitte Centre, 1 Queen Street, Auckland
• RSVP: Click here or email [email protected] by Friday 18 October

Fee (incl GST)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off
In-Person

Earlybird - by 3 October 2024

• $1,385 - Law Society members and associate members
• $1,785 - Non-members

Registration - after 3 October 2024

• $1,435 - Law Society members and associate members
• $1,835 - Non-members

Live Web Stream

2+1 available for live web stream registrations - must be arranged at time of booking - find out more
Earlybird - by 3 October 2024

• $1,325 - Law Society members and associate members
• $1,725 - Non-members

Registration - after 3 October 2024

• $1,375 - Law Society members and associate members
• $1,775 - Non-members

Download PDF Brochure & registration form

Auckland	31 October - 1 November
Live Web Stream	31 October - 1 November
I can't attend, but please let me know when the book is available to purchase.

Cancellation and refund policy

You may cancel your registration eight working days in advance of an event, and you will receive a refund less a 25% administration fee. If you cancel less than eight working days in advance of the event, no refund is payable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person. If you wish to do so you must advise CLE in writing of the change. NZLS CLE Ltd reserves the right to close registrations, and, cancel or reschedule an event as necessary. Where an event is cancelled by CLE, a full refund is payable.