The Law Association of New Zealand (TLANZ) has confirmed details for its first burning issues in employment law conference.
The event will be held at the Park Hyatt, Auckland, on Thursday, 9 October 2025. Participants include judges, politicians, barristers, and employment specialists. The programme is centred on reform, workplace change, and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
Proposals Under Review
The conference will coincide with the 25-year milestone of the Employment Relations Act. Sessions will review current proposals, including the gateway test, high-income threshold, and 30-day rule. Catherine Stewart, Conference Chair, said: “This event is designed to move past theory and into practice.
Delegates will hear frank discussion on the toughest challenges in employment law, along with practical insights they can apply immediately in their own work.” She noted: “Employment law touches every worker and every business. Whether it is reforms to the Employment Relations Act, the treatment of high-income employees, or the evolving force of AI, the conference will provide clarity on what’s coming and how best to respond.”
Migrant Workers and Liability
Employment issues around migrant workers will also take centre stage. A spotlight session will examine deportation risks faced by employees and the potential for employers to face civil and criminal liability.
Generative AI in Workplace Regulation
One of the most anticipated sessions will focus on generative AI in the workplace. A panel will explore the accuracy of AI tools, responsibility for their use, and the guidance emerging from courts. As AI becomes embedded in employment practices, legal professionals are eager for clarity on regulation and accountability.
TLANZ Perspective on Sector Challenges
“The issues on the agenda from AI and migrant exploitation to the future of dismissal rights are not just legal debates. They go to the heart of fairness, productivity and trust in the employment relationship, which makes it vital that we confront them directly.” TLANZ President Tony Herring said.
Preparing for Employment Law Change
The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Hon Brooke van Velden, with contributions from the Chief Judge of the Employment Court, and international experts, the conference is expected to set the tone for employment law debates in the coming years.