Navigating Legal Issues in Schools

Schools across New Zealand are facing a rapidly evolving employment landscape, with a wave of new and complex challenges emerging in recent years. From nuanced complaints to heightened scrutiny around privacy, media, and legal obligations, today’s education leaders must be equipped to respond with clarity and confidence. This seminar offers a deep dive into the unique employment issues affecting state, integrated, and private schools. Drawing on extensive sector-specific experience, the seminar will explore the distinct legal, ethical, and practical considerations schools must navigate – many of which differ significantly from those in the private sector.

Topics covered will include:

• Navigating human rights and discrimination claims
• Managing unexpected and complex employment complaints
• Understanding mandatory reporting obligations
• Responding to media interest and protecting privacy.

Learning objectives

By attending this seminar you will:

• Be clear about how employment law obligations differ between the education sector and private sector.
• Understand how to manage processes for Teaching Council and mandatory reporting obligations in a way that protects dignity and mana.
• Assess the legal risks in balancing privacy, media exposure, and public interest.

Who should attend

Employment, health & safety, privacy, mediation, and human rights lawyers, Boards of Trustees and school principals.

Presenters

Sam Hood
Norris Ward McKinnon, Hamilton

Sam (Ngāti Hikairo) is the managing partner of Norris Ward McKinnon. He regularly acts for primary, secondary and tertiary education clients in a wide range of disputes, including proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and Human Rights Review Tribunal. Sam is the Presiding Member of the Board for Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, is on the Law Society National Friends Panel and is a past member of a Standards Committee.
 

Georgia Watts
Norris Ward McKinnon, Hamilton

Georgia is a senior associate at Norris Ward McKinnon working in the commercial disputes and employment team. She works closely with education clients and provides practical advice and support on a range of issues bespoke to education. Georgia is experienced in disciplinary, dismissal, restructure and redundancy processes. She also has experience conducting complex workplace investigations including for education clients.
 

Resources

A PDF book is included in the fee and will be emailed to you along with your ticket, one week before the seminar. PowerPoint slides will be emailed out after 3pm the day before the event.

Live web stream registrants – you will be emailed a link to join the live stream one week before. For information on what is required to participate in the live web stream, click here. A recording will be distributed approximately one week after the event.

Live Stream Recording

All attendees will recieve four weeks of access to the live stream recording. This added benefit allows you to revisit key insights, in your own time – at your own pace, and reinforce your understanding to extend the value of your learning well beyond attending the event. Recordings will be available approximately one week after the event.

Fee (incl GST)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off

• $205 – Law Society members & associate members
• $295 – Non-members
• View group pricing options

Do you want to register more than one person for this course? Use the 'buy for others' button below or Click here

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 New Zealand Law Society in writing of the change. CLE 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.