Thursday, 26 February 2026
Chair
Maria McKenzie, Cluster Manager, Remutaka Resource Teacher and Learning and Behaviour, Masterton Primary School
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD hour
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Workplace Investigations in the School Environment
Workplace investigations have become a more regular part of the New Zealand legal landscape in recent years. Examine this developing area within the education sector, including:
- When is an investigation appropriate (and prudent)?
- Duties and obligations employers have to investigation participants
- How to effectively manage workplace investigations for both cost and liability
Presented by Andrew Scott-Howman, Barrister and Workplace Investigator, Port Nicholson Chambers
Learning Objectives:
- Identify when a workplace investigation is appropriate and understand the legal obligations owed to participants
- Apply best practice strategies to manage investigations efficiently while minimising legal risk and cost
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.
Andrew Scott-Howman, Barrister and Workplace Investigator, Port Nicholson Chambers
Andrew Scott-Howman is a Wellington based barrister specialising in workplace investigations. He is a graduate of the Association of Workplace Investigator's Training Institute and a member of that specialist interest organisation. He is also a co-author of the Thomson Reuters text "Workplace Bullying in New Zealand". He acts as investigator in both the public and private sectors, and has wide experience in investigating bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct claims.
