Presenters

Maria McKenzie, Cluster Manager, Masterton Primary School
Maria leads a team of itinerant specialist teachers who work across 53 schools in the Wairarapa and Upper Hutt region alongside education and service providers, to identify local needs and resources, and plan support based on the evidence of what works, to best support children and young people to learn, thrive and belong. She has leadership experience and has held governance leadership roles across educational, health, community and not for profit sectors. With an academic background in Psychology, Neuroscience and Education, Counselling and Small Business management Maria has worked across a wide range of sectors supporting people and organisations to embrace and manage transitions and change.


Alexandra Sclater, Associate, Wotton Kearney
Alex is an Associate in Wotton Kearney’s Financial Lines team, specialising in employment law, professional liability and litigation. She advises insurers, insureds and underwriters across New Zealand and international markets on a broad range of employment and dispute resolution matters. Her experience covers general employment issues including performance management, investigations, disciplinary processes and restructures, as well as personal grievances, bullying and harassment claims, breaches of contract and human rights matters. Alex has represented clients before the Employment Relations Authority and has experience appearing in mediations and other alternative dispute resolution processes, including in employment relationship and human rights disputes. She also assists in civil litigation matters, including applications to the Employment Court for freezing orders. Alex is known for her people-centred approach and strong analytical and advocacy skills, and she focuses on delivering practical, commercially sound outcomes for her clients.


Murray Grant, Special Counsel, Wotton Kearney
Murray specialises in employment and discrimination law and practice. He has a wide range of experience in all aspects including general HR issues (misconduct, performance management and restructuring), discrimination (including bullying and harassment), whistleblowing and privacy. Before coming to New Zealand in 2017, Murray practised as a civil litigation barrister in England and Wales and has a considerable advocacy background in mediations, tribunals and courts. Since arriving in New Zealand, he advises and represents in mediations (including in the Human Rights Commission), the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), and the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT). His sector experience is varied and most recently includes healthcare, education, real estate, public sector and retail. His experience includes health and safety and data protection/privacy issues. Murray also has considerable experience assisting healthcare professionals in New Zealand with professional indemnity and employment issues.