New members to bring greater diversity of experience from public, private sectors
The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) will have four new members starting later this year as the government seeks to balance public and private experience in the investigative body.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced on Thursday the appointment of the following new ERA members:
- Simon Greening, for a term from 6 October 2025 to 5 October 2029
- William Fussey, from 15 November 2025 to 14 November 2029
- Alyn Higgins, from 6 October 2025 to 5 October 2029
- Robert Davies, from 12 January 2026 to 11 January 2030
Van Velden said the appointments will collectively bring in "great legal experience to the ERA."
The ERA is New Zealand's independent body responsible for resolving employment relationship problems and facilitating collective bargaining when disputes arise.
Imbalance at the ERA
Van Velden lamented earlier this year the lack of balance in the backgrounds of ERA members, noting that only 48% of them had private sector experience, while 76% had public sector experience.
"That is not representative of the realities of employment in New Zealand, where around 20% of employment is in the public sector and around 80% in the private sector," she said in a statement.
With the new appointments, the minister noted that the ERA will have a more balanced mix of expertise, with 60% of members bringing private sector experience and 52% having backgrounds in the public sector.
"I am really pleased with the progress we are making to better balance a mix of public and private experience amongst members and how this has shifted from the start of the term," she said.
"I expect the proportions to further shift over time as current ERA members' terms expire and come up for consideration for reappointment or replacement."
The new appointments come as the government shakes up the country's workplace laws under the Employment Relations Amendment Bill.
"The Employment Relations Amendment Bill currently at Select Committee includes changes to remove rewards for poor employee behaviour when considering personal grievances and clarifying the distinction between employment and contracting arrangements," van Velden said.
