About BuckettLaw

Get your employment law question answered for free – by an employment law expert
BuckettLaw's Vision
& Guiding Principles
We pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and positive team culture, valuing flexible working from both an hours and location perspective.
We harness technology and our cohesiveness as a team to ensure a seamless service to our clients across all of New Zealand.
Meet Our Team

Barbara Buckett
LLB
More About Barbara
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 Belesky
LLB, BCOM
More About Matt
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 McGaugh
BLAW, BBUS
More About Tori
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 Naidu
LLB, BCOM
More About Daniel
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 Green
More About Annika
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.
BuckettLaw Is...
Experienced
With over 60 years combined experience in our office, we really
have seen it all – and then some! We use our individual experience and
different areas of expertise across our team to provide you with sound and pragmatic advice.
Dedicated
We are dedicated to all of our clients and we take the time to understand not just the matter at hand, but how this impacts you. We work as a team toward the best possible outcome for your case.
Frank
We tell it like it is – we are frank on the strength of your case and the ability to succeed. We keep you informed every step of the way and take the time to understand what is important to you.
Modern
We are flexible in how we work and where we work – we connect with our clients across New Zealand using a range of technologies in a timely and flexible manner. Wherever you are in the country, contact us for an initial 15-minute complimentary consultation.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Views From Our Clients
Some Of Our Previous Cases
Unsure whether you need an employment lawyer?
Your first email or phone contact is free. Contact us by phone or email for an initial discussion.