Workplace Bullying and Harassment Investigations

Karapiti provides independent investigations of workplace bullying and harassment complaints for New Zealand employers. Steve Lockett interviews everyone involved, reviews the evidence and sets out clear findings on each allegation, so you can make a fair decision that stands up to scrutiny.

Protecting People and Culture

Bullying and harassment can damage workplace culture, morale, and wellbeing. Karapiti provides objective investigations that focus on facts, not assumptions.
We follow a fair process to understand what has occurred and whether behaviours meet the legal definitions of bullying or harassment under New Zealand law.

Our approach includes:

  • Careful review of complaints and supporting information

  • Respectful interviews with all parties

  • Balanced, evidence-based findings

  • Practical recommendations for resolution and prevention

An external investigator brings neutrality and ensures your organisation’s response is credible and transparent.

Senior Experience, Without the Big-Firm Overheads 

Because Karapiti operates independently, without the corporate overheads of a large law firm, businesses get direct access to senior-level investigative experience at significantly lower rates. This ensures Karapiti is more financially accessible to SMEs wishing to engage an external investigator. 

Get in touch

Not sure whether what’s happening in your workplace counts as bullying? This article on recognising workplace bullying is a good place to start. You can also read how the workplace investigation process works, or why it can help to bring in an independent workplace investigator.

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour that creates a risk to someone's wellbeing. Harassment can be a single act, and can be based on a personal characteristic. Where sexual harassment is involved specifically, that's covered on our dedicated Sexual Harassment Investigations page. 

  • Employers are expected to properly look into complaints, even if the person affected hasn't raised a formal grievance. 

  • Bullying and harassment complaints often involve people who work closely together. An external investigator can look at what happened without any of that history clouding the process. 

  • A clear, evidence-based report - Karapiti establishes the facts, the employer decides what action to take. 

  • Yes, across New Zealand.