Employment
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : New Zealand
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+64 9 353 9700About
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
MinterEllisonRuddWatts has one of the largest employment teams in New Zealand, providing practical legal advice on all employment-related matters.
The team advises on the full spectrum of employment law, including employee and industrial relations, HR, employment law, disciplinary investigations and dismissals, restructuring and redundancies, managing poor performance and long term illness, Holidays Act advice, executive remuneration, health and safety, immigration law, privacy issues, and equal employment opportunities and discrimination law.
With a reputation for providing high quality, strategic assistance, the team is renowned for understanding their clients’ business – which allows the team to provide advice that is practical, easy to understand, commercially astute and easily implemented.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts is connected to a global network of offices and can help clients find experts to assist with global HR and legal needs.
- Advised Raiser New Zealand Limited (Uber) in their litigation with four Uber drivers in their application to be recognised as employees.
- Advised Electrix to provide strategic guidance and support on employee conduct issues.
- Advise Metlifecare’s executive leadership and human resources teams on ongoing day-to-day employment, industrial relations, and crisis management advice. Recently, we assisted Metlifecare with the acquisition of six retirement villages across New Zealand’s North Island.
Chambers Review
MinterEllisonRuddWatts has notable expertise in employment agreement reviews and business restructuring matters. The team acts for an impressive clientele from the agriculture, transport and technology sectors on health and safety, industrial relations and privacy matters. The firm operates a strong practice out of offices in both Auckland and Wellington, specialising in immigration, disciplinary proceedings, employee terminations and workplace investigations. Notable clients include Electrix, Metlifecare and Marriott International.
Work Highlights
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts acted for Uber in litigation involving Uber drivers who were seeking a declaration under Section 6 of the Employment Relations Act 2000.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I regard Minters as having the best employment team in New Zealand."
"I always found them extremely commercially aware, pragmatic and conscious of industry specific nuances."
"I regard Minters as having the best employment team in New Zealand."
"I always found them extremely commercially aware, pragmatic and conscious of industry specific nuances."
Notable Practitioners
Gillian Service handles workplace investigations into compliance breaches, bullying and harassment, as well as complex litigation. She is particularly noted for her expertise covering flexible working and Holidays Act issues.
"Gillian is a truly outstanding employment legal adviser and easily one of the most sophisticated and commercial advisers in New Zealand."
"Gillian's advice is always pragmatic and her ability to quickly pick up the dynamics of the situation has always impressed."
Megan Richards advises on a wide array of employment matters, including compliance with changing legislation, disciplinary processes, redundancy and post-employment restrictions.
"She's responsive when we need things done quickly and provides both urgent and more considered advice. She also has a wealth of experience in the public sector employment space."
"Megan is in full command of her legal expertise and is a delight to work with. She's warm, intelligent and practical."
June Hardacre is known for her expertise in health and safety, remuneration and matters relating to employee privacy. She advises a wide range of both public and private sector clients.
"She provides exceptional support to our business and has a deep appreciation of our specific industry and can apply this to help resolve matters."
"She provided excellent legal and commercial advice at all stages and was able to assist us when we needed urgent responses."
Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
New Zealand
Members
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Clients
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Aon Insurance
Auckland District Health Board
Colliers International
Fonterra Co-Operative Group
IAG New Zealand Limited
IBM
Johnson & Johnson
The Warehouse Group
Uber
Warner Brothers Discovery Inc