Tavendale + Partners - Legal over Lunch Series

Navigating the New Wave of Employment Law Change

Employment law in New Zealand is entering another period of significant change. Over the past year, we’ve seen substantial reforms to the Employment Relations Act, alongside a growing pipeline of proposed changes affecting leave entitlements, health and safety obligations, minimum wages, and KiwiSaver.

For employers, HR leaders, and advisers, the challenge is no longer just compliance, it’s keeping pace with what’s changing, what’s coming, and what it means in practice.

This session is designed to provide a practical overview of the current employment law landscape and the direction of travel. We’ll start with the recent employment law reforms now in force, and what they mean for employment agreements, termination risk, and workforce planning. From there, we’ll look ahead to proposed changes in health and safety, employment leave, including potential impacts on cost, resourcing, and payroll processes. In addition, we’ll touch on adjustments to minimum wage settings, and what they mean for remuneration structures, particularly in tight economic conditions. Finally, we’ll cover KiwiSaver changes to contribution settings and employer obligations, and how these fit into broader reward and retention strategies.

The aim of the session is not just to outline what the law says, but to help the attendees understand what to do next, what to review, what to plan for, and where the key risks and opportunities sit for members over the coming year.

Don’t miss this essential session. Spaces are limited so secure your spot today!

Lunch provided.

About the Speaker:

Anthony is ranked internationally as a leader in employment law, recognised in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific Legal Guide 2026 for his expertise in employment and industrial law.

With more than 25 years’ experience, he leads Tavendale + Partner’s employment practice and has been instrumental in fast establishing the team as one of New Zealand’s go-to employment law practices.

Anthony acts for major corporates, the New Zealand Government, and local authorities on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment matters and advises multinational companies on cross-border employment law issues.

He regularly represents employers in collective bargaining and provides authoritative guidance on the Employment Relations Act 2000, Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and the Privacy Act 2020.

A trusted advocate and thought leader, Anthony is a frequent commentator, author of key legal precedents, founding member of the Serious Fraud Office, and current President of the Employment Law Institute of New Zealand.