BNZ mistreated whistleblower, authority finds

Melissa Bowen has been vindicated after blowing the whistle at BNZ. (Image: Supplied)

Wed, 26 Jun 2024

In the summer of 2015-2016, Melissa Bowen witnessed a series of events at her workplace, the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), that she believed amounted to serious wrongdoing. Just last week, after a lengthy court fight, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) found the bank tried to fire her for reporting it.Bowen – who had worked for the bank for more than two decades and was a manager in a unit for small business customers – made a protected disclosure in 2016.According to a landmark decision by ERA member Peter van Keulen, BNZ...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On The Money: Anna Breman. Adrian Orr, and more

A moody week worthy of a Scandi-noir thriller involving plenty of bankers.

Dileepa Fonseka 27 Sep 2025

Opinion

Simon Robertson: Investing: What Wall St is banking on

Investors eye an upbeat finish as big tech and AI drive market growth.

Simon Robertson 27 Sep 2025

Technology

Trump saved TikTok – and wrecked the rule of law

TikTok users will be happy, but this is another blow to the rule of law.

The Washington Post 27 Sep 2025

Trump saved TikTok – and wrecked the rule of law

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored