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Thursday Think Tank - Live with Lunch

17 September 2026
  • Start: 12:00pm
  • End: 1:30pm
  • Duration: 1 Hours 30 Min
  • Category: Network Events
  • Region: Waikato
  • Tompkins Wake
  • Level 8, 430 Victoria Street
  • Hamilton 3204
This exclusive member-only event for Senior HR Practitioners will explore recent Employment Relations Authority cases to examine how proportionality influences dismissal decisions and what distinguishes a fair response from an unnecessarily severe one. Join peers for lunch, networking, and a facilitated discussion on evidence, process, conduct, and long service, with open sharing encouraged under Chatham House Rules.

To access member rates, please log in to your membership account, or join HRNZ as a member before registering.

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This is a small, member only event for our Senior HR Practitioners, places are strictly limited!

Does the Punishment Fit the Crime? A Case Study in Proportionality

Three recent Employment Relations Authority decisions, three long-serving employees, three low-value misconduct allegations - and two very different outcomes. This session takes a close look at proportionality in dismissal decisions: what actually separates a "fair and reasonable" response from one the Authority calls unnecessarily severe?

We'll work through DLH v The Farmers Trading Company, Gillan v Birchleigh Management Services, and Tuisamoa v Tē Whare O Ngā Tūmanako Māori Women's Refuge to unpack the factors that really drive these calls — evidence, process, pattern of conduct, and the weight (or lack of it) given to long service. Bring your own war stories; this one's built for debate!

Join us for lunch and networking, followed by a facilitated discussion, and be prepared to join in the discussion and share your experience.  

Note: To ensure open discussion and free sharing these sessions will not be recorded and will be held under Chatham House Rules.
 

Pricing
HRNZ Members:  FREE (Limited places are available)
How to Register
You must have a Member Account and be logged in to register for this event. 
Please note: if you are NOT attending the event, you can no longer register on behalf of others. 
For all queries relating to this event email [email protected] 
Cancellations
Appropriate substitutes are welcome, please email [email protected] prior to the event with their details

Sponsor Details

Tompkins Wake
Tompkins Wake
With thanks to our event sponsor Tompkins Wake

Tompkins Wake is a law firm at the centre of New Zealand’s economic and commercial heartland, seeking to make a tangible difference with the outcomes they create. They deliver specialised legal services, including Employment Law, across New Zealand from their offices in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga and Rotorua.

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