Grow Human Resources Limited

04/10/2026

Parliament has risen, and a large number of bills have lapsed unfinished.

That includes the Termination of Employment by Agreement Bill, the "protected exit conversations" bill. It is not law and it won't be before the 7 November election. The select committee had rewritten it with extra safeguards around negotiations, so if the next Parliament revives it, don't assume it comes back in the form it was introduced.

The Modern Slavery Bill lapsed too.

A new Parliament can reinstate unfinished bills, but nothing comes back automatically. So don't plan around any of them.

29/09/2026

A fair, well-run redundancy. A justified dismissal. And it still cost the employer $12,000, excluding its own costs.

In Hunefeld v JNCTN Ltd, the redundancy itself wasn't the issue. A written job description that had never been given to the employee was, and the Authority found that gap alone caused real, compensable harm.

The bigger lesson for employers: a job description you wrote once, years ago, and never revisited is only marginally better than having none at all. Roles change. If the paperwork hasn't kept up, it won't hold up when you need it to.

We've put together what to check in your own agreements this week. Read the full article: https://growhr.co.nz/news/the-one-document-most-employers-forget-and-what-it-just-cost-one-company/

24/09/2026

Big changes are on the way for how leave works in NZ workplaces. The Employment Leave Act 2026 is replacing the Holidays Act 2003, and while most of it doesn't land until August 2028, there's a lot for employers to get their heads around before then.

Kristy from our team ran a client session this week breaking it all down. Missed it live? The recording's up on our website, along with a full rundown:
https://growhr.co.nz/news/employment-leave-act-2026-webinar-recording-now-available/

16/09/2026

Reminder: Have You Registered for Our Employment Leave Act Webinar? - https://mailchi.mp/growhr.co.nz/2608news-14775183

25/08/2026

Leave changes, a Bill back before Parliament, and a $200k decision for you - https://mailchi.mp/growhr.co.nz/leave-changes-a-bill-back-before-parliament-and-a-200k-decision-for-you

13/08/2026

This really resonated with us. Employers and their managers are often the people carrying the greatest responsibility and because they continue to function well on the outside, it can be easy to assume they are coping. Yet behind the scenes, stress, anxiety, overwhelm, or unhelpful coping patterns can quietly begin to take their toll.

We’re pleased to help share this opportunity, coming live from Hawke’s Bay, and encourage our network to find the time next Wednesday night to tune in and listen.

Pressure is inevitable.

Whether you're leading a business, supporting a family or simply trying to keep everything together, pressure has a way of revealing how we've learnt to cope.

The good news is, the way you respond under pressure is a skill that can be developed.

Join Josh and Emma for Balance Under Pressure™, a free live mastermind where we'll show you how to recognise when pressure is taking over and build the capacity to lead yourself with greater clarity.

04/08/2026

We've had our say.

In July, Grow HR made a formal submission to MBIE as part of the Government's review of how employment disputes are resolved in New Zealand.

We raised what we see employers dealing with in practice: costs that stack up before you're anywhere near mediation, weak claims that aren't filtered early, delays in settling matters that parties have already agreed on, and advocacy conduct that sometimes drags things out rather than wrapping them up.

Our recommendations were practical: early screening of claims, a licensing framework for employment advocates, better access to in-person mediation, and a five-day target to certify agreed settlements.

Real change won't happen overnight. The review is ongoing and will depend on November's election result. But the small and medium business voice needs to be heard now, not after the decisions are made.

We'll keep you updated as it progresses. If you've got questions about navigating the current system, we're here.

22/07/2026

The Employment Leave Bill is moving quickly. It has passed its second reading and now moves to committee of the whole House, where further amendments can still be made, then a third reading. It is not law yet but looking like it could be very soon.

We're continuing to track it and will keep you posted.

21/07/2026

The Employment Leave Bill has taken another step forward. The Select Committee has now reported back, and recommended several amendments aimed at making the legislation more practical and workable for employers.

We've summarised the key updates and what employers should be watching next.

👉 Read the full update here: https://growhr.co.nz/news/employment-leave-bill-update/

The Employment Leave Bill has reached another important milestone, with the Select Committee reporting back on its recommendations.While the overall structure of the proposed leave system remains largely unchanged, the Committee has suggested several practical improvements that should make the new f...

01/07/2026

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, with commencement now pushed out to 1 April 2027. Labour has also confirmed it would repeal the changes if it forms the next government, so there is still some uncertainty about what the final landscape will look like.

If the Bill proceeds as drafted, it will represent the biggest change to New Zealand's health and safety framework since 2015. The focus shifts back to critical risk management, concentrating effort on the hazards most likely to cause death or serious injury rather than creating paperwork for every conceivable risk.

For businesses with fewer than 20 workers, the changes are expected to reduce some compliance requirements. However, Approved Codes of Practice will become increasingly important and may play a larger role in assessing whether an employer has met its obligations.

For now, don't rush to rebuild your health and safety system. Focus on understanding your critical risks, making sure the right controls are in place, and keeping abreast of developments. Given the political uncertainty, this is a good time to stay informed rather than make wholesale changes.