2025 Annual Report
Welcome
Tēnā koutou katoa
Tēnei mātou o te Kōti Take Mahi e mihi atu nei i runga i te putanga tuatahi o tēnei pūrongo e rewa ake nei me he kōtuku rerenga tahi. Hei pānuitanga mā koutou, hai whakaarotanga hoki mā tātou e whai nei kia tūwhera ā mātou kūaha ki te iti me te rahi o tō tātou motu. Me kore noa e tau i ngā raru ā-mahi, i tērā pakihi, i tēra umanga, i tērā ahumahi kia tau ngātahi ai te mauri i waenga i ngā kaimahi me ngā pakihi puta noa i te motu.
E whai whakaaro ana mātou ki te hunga kāore ā rātau āheinga e kuhu ai rātau ki te kōti, pērā i te manako te kōura e kore ai. Ka ngana tonu mātau ki te ngahoro i ngā tauārai kia māmā ake ai tā te kaimahi, tā te kaiwhakawhiwhi mahi uru ki ā mātau kōti.
Tēnā koutou katoa
We of the Employment Court greet you on the occasion of the first publication of this report, which emerges like the rare flight of the kōtuku. It is offered for your reading, and for our shared reflection, as we continue striving to keep our doors open to all people across our nation. It is our hope that workplace difficulties - across businesses and industries - may be resolved in a way that restores balance and wellbeing between workers and employers throughout the country.
We are mindful of those for whom opportunity to come to the Court remains just out of reach, like the treasured kōura that cannot be grasped. We will continue to find ways to reduce the barriers, for employees and employers alike.
Meaning of the tohu
The tohu on the front cover and throughout the Report has the below meaning:
Muka – Flax Fibers
The fibers are revealed when individual leaves are stripped. Muka has many different qualities and uses. Most often used to bind and weave, this durable and adaptive material creates a variety of outcomes including cloaks (kākahu), rope, and nets. This highly valued material illustrates the qualities of the courts and judicial personnel in supporting people and providing just outcomes.
Ritorito – Carved Surface Pattern
The interlocking element is informed by the carved surface pattern called Ritorito which directly connects to the Rito of the Harakeke. It is an additional carved element that emphasises the support of whānau within the Employment Courts.