Workplace investigations can unravel quickly when process, evidence or procedural fairness is mishandled. Gain the practical skills to confidently manage investigations from the initial complaint through to final outcome, while ensuring your process stands up to scrutiny. Learn how to gather and assess evidence, conduct effective witness interviews, document findings and make defensible decisions. Examine recent case law and cautionary tales to uncover the mistakes, risks and emerging issues that can undermine even the most well-intentioned investigation. Leave with practical strategies to conduct robust, legally sound investigations and minimise organisational risk.

Presenters

Hannah King, Partner, Kiely Thompson Caisley
Hannah’s practice spans the full range of contentious and advisory employment law issues. With over a decade of experience advising on people risk, she balances a high level of technical proficiency in dealing with complex legal issues with a pragmatic and commercial approach. When it comes to the most confronting and sensitive issues arising in the workplace, Hannah is particularly adept at supporting clients to manage risk and find practical solutions. Hannah advises employers across a wide range of industries, as well as senior employees. She has extensive experience in pursuing and defending personal grievance claims, post-employment obligation matters and interim applications, and advising clients on and conducting workplace investigations. Hannah is a member of The Law Association of New Zealand Employment Law Committee and has been frequently recognised by the Doyle’s Guide, including as a Recommended Employment Lawyer in 2026.

Jessica Taylor, Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay
Jessica specialises in employment, health and safety, and dispute resolution. She advises on a wide range of employment matters including personal grievances, restructuring and redundancy, investigations, disciplinary processes, performance management, medical incapacity, health and safety and pay equity. Jessica regularly attends mediation and acts in proceedings in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court. Jessica also regularly assists with health, privacy and official information, and human rights matters.

Gianna Menzies, Senior Solicitor, Buddle Findlay
Gianna specialises in employment law and has broader experience in general litigation and dispute resolution. She provides guidance on a range of employment relationship issues including personal grievances, disciplinary and performance processes, restructurings and change processes, and medical incapacity. She also has experience in preparing, reviewing and advising on employment agreements, workplace policies and records of settlement.

Emma von Veh, Partner, Buddle Findlay
Emma is a respected employment specialist who advises public and private sector clients on all aspects of the employment relationship. Emma has extensive experience advising on collective and individual employment agreements, disciplinary processes, bullying and harassment investigations, restructuring, personal grievances, employment and industrial aspects of mergers, acquisitions and statutory transfers, contractor/employee disputes, health and safety, and human rights and privacy matters. More broadly, Emma often advises clients on their statutory, public law and contractual obligations, including in relation to human rights, conflicts of interest, governance and official information. Emma prides herself in assisting parties navigate difficult and complex issues in a way that minimises the risk of litigation, and damage to reputation and relationships. Emma has experience in dispute resolution, and has represented clients in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, Court of Appeal, and Human Rights Review Tribunal.  Emma also regularly represents clients at mediation. Emma also has health law expertise and has worked in-house in the legal teams at the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner.  She advises on health information privacy, Health and Disability Commissioner investigations, and professional disciplinary matters.