McLuskie Dalziel Lawyers

25/05/2026

Last weekend, Fiona and Josh along with a group from their BNI chapter attended the Bucket List Banquet supporting Hospice Waikato, and what a night it was.

Great company, amazing auction items, raffles, entertainment, generosity and some really moving speakers, including a family sharing their experience of receiving care through Rainbow Place – a specialist Hospice service for children and youth.

The stat that stuck with us: one in three people who die in New Zealand are supported by Hospice in some way. An incredible organisation doing vital mahi within our community.

If you're looking for a cause worth supporting, Hospice Waikato is a great place to start.

09/05/2026

McLuskie Dalziel Lawyers is hiring! We're looking for a junior to intermediate lawyer to join us. Flexible hours, real variety, and a great team to work alongside.

2-6 years' PQE in employment law (or transferable experience). Full details here: https://nz.seek.com/job/91987662

05/05/2026

We are pleased to welcome Sarah, our new Law Clerk, to the MDL team.

Sarah is in her final year at the University of Waikato, studying toward a conjoint Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resources. With a keen interest in the intersection of legal compliance and people management, she is a great addition to our team.

Haere mai, Sarah!

20/04/2026

Another employment law change that came into effect on 21 February 2026 is worth knowing about if you hire new staff.

The 30-day rule has been removed. Previously, new employees in roles covered by a union agreement had to be employed on collective terms for their first 30 days, even if they were not a union member.

Now, new employees can choose from day one whether to go individual or collective. Employers have more flexibility to negotiate tailored terms right from the start of a working relationship.

The change applies to new employees only and does not affect existing staff or existing agreements.

Our latest article covers what this means in practice for both employers and employees.

Read it here: https://www.mdlawyers.co.nz/blog/post/162664/the-30-day-rule-is-gone-what-it-means-for-your-workplace--mdlawyers/

Any questions? Get in touch with the team at McLuskie Dalziel Lawyers.

13/04/2026

If your business engages contractors, this change matters.

From 21 February 2026, New Zealand has a new legal test for determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.

It is called the gateway test, and every single criterion must be met for a worker to be classified as a contractor. If even one is not satisfied, the worker may still be able to claim employee status and access employee rights.

Simply calling someone a contractor or using an old template is not enough.

Our latest article explains how the test works, what employers need to check, and what contractors should know before signing any new agreement.

Read it here: https://www.mdlawyers.co.nz/blog/post/162786/the-new-contractor-gateway-test-what-it-means-for-your-business-mdlawyers/

Any questions? Get in touch with the team at McLuskie Dalziel Lawyers.

07/04/2026

New employment law changes are now in effect for high earners.

From 21 February 2026, employees earning $200,000 or more per year can no longer bring a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal in most situations. And the threshold is broader than many people expect. It includes bonuses, commissions, paid leave, and equity compensation, not just base salary.

If you are an employer with senior staff, or an employee at or near this level, our latest article breaks down exactly what this means, what the transition period looks like, and what steps are worth taking now.

Read it here: https://bit.ly/4twWwGs

Any questions? Get in touch with the team at McLuskie Dalziel Lawyers.

From 21 February 2026, employees earning $200,000 or more can no longer bring a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal in most cases. Here's what employers and employees need to know.

30/03/2026

Employment law in New Zealand just shifted and it's more than a minor update.

The 2026 changes to the Employment Relations Act affect how personal grievances are handled, what remedies are available, and who can raise a claim in the first place.

We're unpacking the main changes over the coming weeks in plain language. No legal jargon; just what you need to know.

First article drops soon. 👇

30/03/2026

Did you know that under the 2026 Employment Relations Act amendments, employee conduct can now completely wipe out personal grievance remedies?

If the Employment Relations Authority finds serious misconduct, no remedies can be awarded.

For employers, this makes clearly evidencing misconduct more important than ever. For employees, it means your own behaviour in a disciplinary situation carries real weight.

We've broken down what this change means for both employers and employees on the blog.
https://www.mdlawyers.co.nz/blog/post/162708/how-employee-conduct-now-affects-personal-grievance-remedies-in-nz/

Got questions about your policies or procedures? Get in touch with the MDL team

Recent Employment Relations Act amendments mean employee conduct can now reduce or completely remove remedies after an unjustified dismissal. Here's what changed and what it means for you.

18/02/2026

Josh and Karina Conquer the Tarawera 52km

Saturday's Tarawera 52km trail run threw everything at Josh and Karina – challenging terrain through native New Zealand bush and eight stunning lakes. On top of that they did it all during an extreme weather event that turned an already tough course into a true test of resilience.

But here's what got them through: strategy, a solid plan, and the support of their crew every step of the way.

Trail running mirrors what we see in employment law every day. Tough conditions are inevitable. Plans don't always go smoothly. But what makes the difference? Having the right people in your corner when the going gets tough.

Just like Josh and Karina relied on their support crew to navigate extreme conditions and stay the course, we're here to support you when you're facing employment challenges. Whether it's developing a strategy, adapting when circumstances change, or simply having someone who knows the terrain walk alongside you.

When you need support through difficult employment situations, we're the ones in your corner.

Well done Josh and Karina – incredible effort! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

05/02/2026

Happy Waitangi Day!

Hope everyone's settled back into work after the summer break. Enjoy your day off today!

Employers: Don't forget your public holiday pay obligations - time-and-a-half plus an alternative day off for those working today.

Contact us if you need advice!