When consultation trumps confidentiality

When consultation trumps confidentiality
The employment court has ruled that the midwives should have been consulted. (Image: NZME)
Rebecca Rendle
The court of appeal recently declined an application for leave to appeal an employment court decision in Birthing Centre Limited v Matsas.  This is an important case on employee consultation obligations when an employer is negotiating an asset sale or commercial contract that affects employees.It demonstrates that claims of confidentiality and commercial prejudice as a reason not to consult before an unconditional agreement is reached will be closely tested.It is common in a commercial transaction for negotiating parties to want to keep ma...

More Law & Regulation

No right to remote work in NZ
Opinion

Bronwyn Heenan: No right to remote work in NZ

Since covid, NZ employers and employees have discussed office v remote work days.

Green light for solar farm near Greytown, Wairarapa
Law & Regulation

Green light for solar farm near Greytown, Wairarapa

Far North Solar Farm and the local council still need to work out conditions.

RBNZ paying for unused floor space at new office
Property

RBNZ paying for unused floor space at new office

The Reserve Bank of NZ's plush new Britomart office will be only partially occupied. 

Andy Macdonald 29 Oct 2025
RBNZ cuts number of jobs by 20%
Finance

RBNZ cuts number of jobs by 20%

The Reserve Bank claims $11m of cost savings via Project Denby’s 20% job cuts.

Staff reporters 29 Oct 2025