There are a number of pieces of legislation currently before parliament that will affect how HR professionals and people leaders will manage employment relationships.

Lane Neave Partner Fiona McMillan,covered all of these proposed changes, including but not limited to:

1. Clarification of the rules around whether someone is a contractor or an employee.
2. High-income earners no longer being able to raise personal grievances for unjustified dismissal.
3. The removal of the “30-day rule” in relation to Collective Agreements.
4. Employers being allowed to have open conversations with employees about “paying them to go.”

This seminar also looked to cover off key concepts with the proposed replacement to the Holidays Act.

Here are the slides from the session. Employment Law Update Feb 2026

Our advocacy is informed through business confidence surveys and discussions with local businesses across a wide range of sectors and sizes, with a view to advise on policy that will enhance the role of local government as an enabler for our economy. Queenstown Business Chamber welcome the opportunity to provide pre-engagement input into the 2027 – 2037 Long Term Plan.

Read more here. 

Workplace Programme:

Active8 is Lightfoot’s workplace programme designed to shift how employees travel in Queenstown Lakes.

Included:
– A comprehensive commuter Travel Plan based on employee data
– Access to a $10,000 Guaranteed Ride Home fund to ensure staff can deal with emergencies if they happen
– Detailed data and insights into how your team commutes
– Carbon emissions calculation from staff travel
– On-demand, online training sessions for your workplace champion to suit their schedule

The Active8 pilot in 2023 saw a 15% uptake in shared and active modes in participating workplaces.

Click here for more info.

We’ve launched an updated toolkit

The Ministry for Women has updated the toolkit to include tools for calculating genderethnicity and gender-disability pay gaps. It also features new resources for small to medium sized businesses and a guide to support young women to confidently discuss pay at work. This update gives you the tools to take a deeper look and make meaningful change.

It includes:

• A new calculator and resources to support business to measure gender–ethnicity and gender–disability pay gaps.

• A new self-assessment tool to help you identify actions to reduce your pay gaps.

• A new resource for small and medium-sized businesses, offering practical, tailored guidance.

• A resource for young women, developed with YWCA, to support confident conversations about pay.

Why this matters

Gender pay gaps are not experienced equally.

While New Zealand’s overall gap is now 5.2%, it’s much higher for wāhine Māori (12%), Pacific women (15.8%), and Asian women (10.2%). Adding gender-ethnicity and genderdisability pay gap guidance helps businesses understand and address these intersecting gaps.

Closing pay gaps is not just about fairness. It is about addressing systemic barriers that hold people back and limit opportunities.

The new toolkit will help businesses understand their pay gaps, calculate them accurately, and take meaningful action to close them.

Visit the toolkit: www.women.govt.nz/GPGtoolkit

A new spin on an iconic classic

In the new MONOPOLY: Queenstown Edition, players can buy, sell, and trade some of Queenstown’s most famous landmarks and attractions, such as the world-renowned Skyline Gondola, stunning Walter Peak and Shotover Jet.  Instead of traditional MONOPOLY properties, the game features iconic locations and experiences unique to Queenstown.

The familiar gameplay remains intact, with a special Queenstown twist: instead of the classic tokens, players can move around the board with custom Queenstown tokens, representing the best experiences, like a gondola, jet boat, or skier.

“We’re so excited to introduce the MONOPOLY: Queenstown Edition, which combines Queenstown iconic businesses and attractions with the beloved classic game that has entertained millions worldwide for decades,” said Sharon Fifield, Queenstown Business Chamber CEO “This is a celebration of everything that makes Queenstown special – from its outdoor adventures to its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.”

“Our members have jumped at the chance to get involved with the very first Queenstown edition and ‘on the board’. We’re very pleased at how this has been received and the excitement that has been building around today’s launch. This is a great opportunity to purchase a slice of Queenstown and you’ll be supporting a strong Chamber at the same time. It’s a win/win for our customers and the business community.”

“It’s been a pleasure working with the Queenstown Business Chamber to create this special board,” said Charlotte Waalkens, Head of Global Licensing & Commercial Head of Australia at Winning Moves. “As a New Zealander myself, Queenstown holds such a special place in my heart for me with years of beautiful family memories created there. I hope this edition helps create family memories amongst Queenstown locals and fans alike for years to come.”

A Perfect Gift for the Holidays

The MONOPOLY: Queenstown Edition retails for $69.95 and is now available:

• Online at www.queenstownchamber.org.nz
• In-store at a special pop-up store in Eatspace, O’Connells Mall from Tuesday 3^rd December &
• KMART Stores in: Queenstown, Riccarton Christchurch, Papanui, Dunedin & Invercargill www.kmart.co.nz instore & online from Tuesday December 3rd

Only while stocks last.

Mr. Monopoly will also return for another visit to Queenstown (he loved his last visit so much) today, Tuesday 3^rd December from 11am at the MONOPOLY: Queenstown Edition pop-up store.