Employment
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 3
About
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Our highly respected Employment practice advises some of the New Zealand's biggest corporates on the full range of employment matters, specialising in the more difficult and complex issues. Our work starts with initial strategy, through to advocacy at all levels of the court system. We are regarded as specialists in providing practical and pragmatic advice which identifies, assesses and then appropriately minimises legal risk.
We advise on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious aspects of New Zealand employment law. Our lawyers assist with the protection of confidential information, enforcement of restraints of trade, misconduct issues and performance management, and can help during the sale, merger, or outsourcing of a business with issues like redundancy and restructuring.
Our finance experts also assist with issues around superannuation and KiwiSaver, and we provide support during issues relating to human rights, privacy, harassment and worker’s compensation.
This reputation and the particular experience we bring to employment law issues means that we have been well positioned to provide advice on COVID-19 related issues, including vaccination. We have assisted clients to get across, and manage through, a fast moving and complicated legal environment.
Chambers Review
Russell McVeagh is a compact practice that advises on complex corporate employment matters, compliance issues and minimum employment entitlements, as well as on dismissals and the departure of senior executives. The firm is also acknowledged for its advice to employers regarding collective bargaining and health and safety liability.
Work Highlights
- Russell McVeagh advised Ballance Agri-Nutrientson a dispute arising from a contractor and employee classification issue.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The employment law team at Russell McVeagh is extremely capable and competent in both employment matters as well as understanding and delivering the requisite business outcomes."
"The team is very pragmatic and practical. It offers solid, realistic advice that respects commercial and business realities and allows management risk assessment."
"The employment law team at Russell McVeagh is extremely capable and competent in both employment matters as well as understanding and delivering the requisite business outcomes."
"The team is very pragmatic and practical. It offers solid, realistic advice that respects commercial and business realities and allows management risk assessment."
Notable Practitioners
Emma Peterson leads the employment practice at Russell McVeagh. She is highly regarded for advising clients across all employment and health and safety mandates. She has notable expertise in relation to personal grievances, as well as the employment issues arising out of insolvency situations.
"She gets to the crux of the issue with ease and presents a number of viable options in simplistic, plain English. We know we are getting the cream of the crop in quality when we engage her."
"Emma really understands the businesses she counsels and is very pragmatic with her approach towards complex situations."
Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh
New Zealand
Clients
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Auckland International Airport Limited
IAG New Zealand Limited
Norske Skog Tasman Limited
SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Sanford Limited
Smiths City Group Limited
Summerset Retirement Villages
Tasman Cargo Airlines
Uber
Woolworths Limited