If you are making a complaint about sexual harassment, here are some external places to raise your complaint or seek support. Please note this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other support available in your region.
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New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police Nga Pirihimana O Aotearoa (the Police) should be contacted about acts of violence and criminal offences. Criminal charges can be filed by the Police.
Phone 111 if you are in immediate danger
Phone 105 for Police non-emergencies
Legislation: Crimes Act 1961 and other legislation administered by the New Zealand Police.
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Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission Te Kāhui Tika Tangata can help resolve complaints of sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination at work. It provides a free and confidential mediation process for complaints of sexual harassment. It can provide information to help you resolve your complaint or you could be referred to a mediator. Mediators help both parties work through issues raised in a complaint.
If mediation is unsuccessful, the Human Rights Review Tribunal can deal with human rights complaints (legal action).
Phone 0800 496 877
Legislation: The Human Rights Act 1993 (HRA).
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Employment Mediation Services
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s Employment Mediation Services provides a free mediation service to any employer or employee and can help parties resolve an employment relationship problem.
Phone 0800 20 90 20
If mediation is unsuccessful, the Employment Relations Authority can resolve disputes about a range of employment issues, including sexual harassment.
Like the Employment Relations Authority, the Employment Court deals with cases about employment disputes. The Employment Court also deals with challenges to the Employment Relations Authority’s decisions.
Legislation: Employment Relations Act 2000 (ERA). The ERA aims to build productive employment (employer/employee) relationships. It provides protection against sexual harassment, which are also covered by the HRA. Sexual harassment can give grounds for a personal grievance under the ERA or a claim under the HRA – the employee decides which of these options to take.
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WorkSafe New Zealand
WorkSafe New Zealand Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is the primary work health and safety regulator. WorkSafe has specific advice for workers who have experienced sexual harassment.
Phone 0800 030 040
Legislation: The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HWSA) is the primary work health and safety legislation.
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Netsafe
Netsafe is New Zealand’s online safety organisation. It assists with complaints about harmful digital communications, including those experienced in a workplace.
Phone 0508 638 723
Legislation: The Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (HDCA).
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Employee assistance programmes
Your agency may have an employee assistance programme (EAP) available.
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Safe to Talk sexual harm helpline
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General helplines
Lifeline
Phone 0800 543 354
Text 4357
Samaritans
Phone 0800 726 666
Healthline
Phone 0800 611 116
1737 – Need to talk?
Phone or text 1737
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Unions
Your union may be able to provide support. For example, you could approach your union delegate, organiser or the union’s support centre.
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Industry and professional organisations
Other relevant industry and professional organisations, such as:
Employment New Zealand – employment.govt.nz
Community Law Centres – communitylaw.org.nz
Citizens Advice Bureau – cab.org.nz
Victims Information – sexualviolence.victimsinfo.govt.nz
Mental Health Foundation – mentalhealth.org.nz