BuckettLaw's Vision
& Guiding Principles

Our Principal, Barbara is a highly respected and experienced senior employment lawyer, having practised as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand for over 35 years. She is widely acknowledged as an expert in the employment law field and has a proven track record of delivering excellent results for clients.

Prior to opening her own practice in 1998, Barbara worked as a Senior Staff Solicitor in a large professional services firm, as a Senior Legal Analyst for a public service department and an Office Solicitor for a major union.

Barbara has substantial experience in resolving workplace issues and can provide advice on both employment relations and human resource issues. Barbara advises on all areas of employment law and passionately believes in resolving issues before they arise, by providing organisations with effective compliance advice and robust processes.

Barbara has extensive dispute resolution and conflict resolution experience and frequently attends formal mediations on behalf of BuckettLaw clients, as well as both informal and formal negotiations. She prides herself on taking part in procedurally fair, clear and logical dispute resolution processes and relating to all those involved to create workable outcomes.

Barbara is also an experienced litigator, having appeared in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, Court of Appeal, District Court, High Court and Family Court on a range of issues.

As well as reading and travel, Barbara enjoys work out at the gym, fine wine and dining out with friends.

Matt joined BuckettLaw in 2015 after completing degrees in law and commerce (accounting) at Victoria University of Wellington.

Matt has a broad range of experience in employment law, including providing advice on disciplinary and performance issues, bullying and harassment, workplace investigations, organisational change processes, health and safety, restraint of trade issues, 90-day trial periods and confidentiality and privacy issues.

With a background in commerce and finance, Matt’s approach to employment law is to provide the most practical and commercially focused advice possible.
Matt represents clients in mediation, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.

Matt is a proud Wellingtonian and enjoys exercise, film, music, drumming and relaxing with mates.

Tori joined BuckettLaw in 2019 after 15 years of working for large corporate firms in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australasia.

Tori holds a depth of experience in employee relations, and supports clients across the entire employment cycle.  She has a wealth of experience in change management processes around restructure, joint ventures and mergers/aquisitions and specialises in best practice employment relations documentation such as employer/contractor agreements, policies and procedures and compliance.  She also brings expertise in navigating performance and conduct issues and investigations, providing pragmatic and clear guidance.

Having worked in-house at Deloitte, Virgin and various exchange trading firms, Tori has a deep understanding of business mechanics and how the employment relationship is intertwined in this.

Hailing from Auckland originally, Tori describes herself as an ex-expat who has come home to enjoy New Zealand with her family.  She loves wine, food and is a keen paddleboarder and (very) amateur runner.

Daniel joined BuckettLaw in 2019 after completing his degrees in law and commerce (economics) at Victoria University of Wellington.

He has a broad range of experience across employment law, working on many cases involving unjustified dismissals, COVID-related issues, restructure processes and workplace bullying.

Since joining BuckettLaw Daniel has been involved in intensive preparation for mediation, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.

Daniel’s approach is considered and strategic, and he is focussed on providing clear and pragmatic advice to his clients.

Daniel grew up in Fiji, where he has worked as an attaché journalist and legal intern in its interesting legal environment.

Daniel is a keen tennis player and qualified tennis coach. He also enjoys travelling, reading and awaiting the Blues’ next Super Rugby title.

Annika joined the BuckettLaw team at the end of 2019, as our Legal and Administrative Assistant. She is presently studying towards a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University and is in her third year.

Annika keeps us all in line and is the first point of contact into the firm. She manages all office administration, client scheduling, filing, mediation organisation and everything in between!

Annika hails from the Wairarapa. She enjoys spending time with friends and attending events in and around Wellington.