Navigating Employment Conflict Resolution Through Mediation: Live Mock Scenario & HR Skills
- Start: 10:00am
- End: 1:00pm
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Category: Network Events
- Region: Auckland
- Duncan Cotterill
- Level 1, Australis Nathan Building
- 37 Galway Street
- Auckland Central 1010
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This is an in-person 3 hour session with a nominal charge to attend, places are limited!
Navigating Employment Conflict Resolution Through Mediation
Live Mock Mediation Scenario & HR Skills – HRNZ Auckland Network Event
📅 Date: Friday, 14 August 2026 🕒 Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (3 Hours) 📍 Venue: Duncan Cotterill Australis Nathan Building, Level 1 37 Galway Street, Auckland 🏷️ Category: Network Events
Event Overview: Employment conflict is becoming more frequent, more complex, more relational, and increasingly challenging for HR to navigate with confidence. This session offers HR practitioners a rare opportunity to understand the mediation process — how it works, when to use it, and how it can support resolution or outcomes — before stepping inside the mediation room to observe a live mock mediation based on a realistic workplace scenario.
Designed for HR practitioners who are new to mediation, those who have participated before, and those seeking a capability refresh, this session provides a clear overview of mediation in Aotearoa New Zealand, including:
• Facilitative/Evaluative mediation (e.g. MBIE)
• Private mediation
• The different models used across the sector
• When to use each pathway
• What mediation looks like in practice
• The core skills HR needs to support effective conflict resolution
The session features presenters from Legal, HR, and an accredited mediator. Through a live demonstration, expert commentary, and a facilitated debrief, you’ll gain practical insight into the roles of HR, Legal, and the mediator — and build confidence in navigating employment conflict through mediation. All attendees will also receive a practical Mediation Preparation Checklist to take away, supporting real world application after the session.
Presenters: Hayley Coles, Priyam Johnstone, and Lisa McWilliam Smith- Experienced legal, HR, and mediation practitioners bringing employment law, organisational, and facilitation perspectives to the session.
Audience: Mid to senior level generalist HR practitioners (HR BP, Senior BP, Principal BP, Head of People, People Leads) who deal with employment conflict and have conflict resolution within their scope — including those new to mediation or seeking a capability refresh.
Sign up for this 3 hour session includes a small nominal fee for HRNZ Members to encourage committed attendance, reflecting the involvement of a highly experienced accredited mediator supporting the facilitation.
Pricing
HRNZ Member: $10.00
Non Member: $100.00
Please note our prices include GST. Payment is due at the time of registration by credit card. If payment is not received, your registration may be cancelled.
To Register
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For all queries relating to this event email [email protected]
Cancellations & Refunds
To receive a full refund cancellation must be received by HRNZ by email to [email protected] three working days before the day of the event.
Cancellations after this time and/or 'no shows' on the day will be payable in full.
Appropriate substitutions are welcome - please email [email protected] with their details
Presenter Details
Lisa McWilliam Smith
Lisa began her career as in house legal counsel for unions across the aviation, engineering, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. After seven years in legal practice, she joined MBIE as a Senior Mediator, working on complex employment disputes and providing technical advice on employment law. She later moved into employment relations consulting, where she supported employers, carried out culture reviews, and strengthened her expertise in workplace investigations. Known for her calm, impartial approach, Lisa creates a safe and collaborative environment where parties can shape their own outcomes. Lisa is committed to respecting te ao Māori, all cultures and communities, and takes care that her actions are inclusive and align with diverse values. She is trained by the US Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in interest based problem solving and bargaining, is a member of the Resolution Institute, and coaches candidates working toward mediation accreditation.
Priyam Johnstone
Priyam is a senior people, culture, and change practitioner with experience across large organisations in Aotearoa and globally. She partners closely with leaders to build capability, strengthen culture, and support people through moments that matter. Priyam brings a balanced, human centred approach that aligns commercial outcomes with care, clarity, and good judgement. She is a Prosci certified Change Practitioner, received her coaching certification through the NeuroLeadership Institute, and has recently completed mediation training with the Resolution Institute. Priyam’s mahi and approach to leadership is shaped by her commitment as tangata Tiriti. As a member of the HRNZ Auckland Committee, she contributes to elevating the HR profession and champions inclusive, future focused leadership across the community.
Hayley Coles
Hayley is a Senior Associate in the Employment team at Duncan Cotterill assisting clients with the full spectrum of employment matters and specialising in conducting independent workplace investigations. Hayley has worked in the UK and in New Zealand, supporting a wide variety of clients of differing sizes and across many industries. She regularly works with HR professionals and assists clients with advice regarding issues such as mediations, restructuring and redundancy, performance management, disciplinary processes, responding to personal grievances or addressing bullying and harassment.
Sponsor Details
Duncan Cotterill Auckland
With thanks to our event sponsor Duncan Cotterill
Duncan Cotterill’s specialist employment team is one of the biggest in New Zealand and works across New Zealand assisting clients navigate their employment and health and safety issues. They believe the best advice is given by analysing the people involved, the situations at hand and the wider context of your business objectives. They help employers of all sizes, from owner / operators and SMEs to multinationals and senior executives, with the full range of employment law issues from their six offices.
