A review into the apparent breakdown in relationships between the Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying Industry Training Organisation and the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board. Commissioned for Hon Michael Cullen, the Minister for Tertiary Education.
Hazel Armstrong, 2006
Department of Labour
Consultation regarding two separate regulatory proposals on how ACC responds to injury-related hearing loss claims: prescribing the proportion of the costs that ACC is liable to pay for hearing loss entitlements and updating procedures for noise-induced hearing loss assessment procedures.
Submission of the New Zealand Audiological Society on Regulations for Noise Induced Hearing Loss under the Accident Compensation Act 2001 pursuant to sections 323 and 324.
NZAS
A survey of noise in saw-milling and wood processing industries, commissioned by ACC and carried out by the University of Otago, with the aim of assessing noise within the industry and identifying simple solutions to reducing the noise.
The aim of this study was to assess the risk of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in shearing and investigate practicable control methods.
McBride, Cowan, Utumapu, & Wallaart
In this report, the sources of the noise of the shearing systems are investigated to focus future efforts to reduce the magnitude of the noise of the shearing systems.
Mahn – Acoustic Research Group, University of Canterbury
In the twelve months to May 2000 Tranz Rail’s appalling health and safety record culminated in the death of five workers. This paper examines the history of rail from its birth to its corporatisation, sale and eventual renationalisation in an examination of how this came about and the progress made in this area after the Tranz Rail Inquiry.
By Hazel Armstrong
Armstrong Thompson specialise in accident compensation (ACC) law, employment law, and health and safety law. Contact us if you need assistance in one of these areas. See below to find out more about our team members. The firm was a finalist in the Boutique Law Firm of the Year at the New Zealand Law Awards in 2014 and 2017.
| Hazel Armstrong: PartnerHazel specialises in ACC, health and safety, employment law and professional ethics. She has undertaken Inquiries on behalf of government and other organisations, for example, KiwiRail and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union; the Minister for Tertiary Education; and in 2014, she was part of a three person inquiry into safety in the Forestry Sector. The firm was involved in 2022 with Maritime NZ in developing worker insights into Port Safety. She has served on Boards as a ministerial appointee. Hazel sits on the board of the Ports of Auckland Limited.Hazel is on the NZ Law Society ACC Committee.In 2014, Hazel was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards. |
| Ben Thompson: PartnerBen specialises in ACC and employment law. He is an experienced litigator in New Zealand and the UK, acting for injured people and employees in both those jurisdictions.2014 saw Ben win Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year at the New Zealand Law Awards, and publish a book on accident compensation law, entitled Accident Compensation Act: Key Sections and Commentary, published by LexisNexis. In 2015 Ben established a branch of Armstrong Thompson in Tauranga, as a partner in the firm. This gives the firm more coverage in the Bay of Plenty and the Waikato. |
| Margie Peterson: Accounts & Trust Accounts ManagerMargie joined Armstrong Thompson Law in 2003. She takes care of all General and Trust Accounts. She manages the office on a day to day basis. She liaises with clients around payment and billing, sending invoices and statements. |
| Krissy Thompson: LawyerKrissy Thompson joined Armstrong Thompson in 2010, where she started as a graduate law clerk and became a solicitor in 2011. She worked as a solicitor until 2016, when she went on an extended period of parental leave from the firm. She has now returned part-time and works closely with Hazel on matters of health and safety, employment, and professional ethics. She is a director on a number of boards, including the Board of Worksafe Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa (the health and safety regulator), and the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management. |
 | Quinn Vugler: LawyerQuinn has been working for Armstrong Thompson since February 2020. Quinn is the frontline for liaison with clients and potential clients, and specializes in employment law, as well as ACC. |
| Caitlin Kingsford – law clerkCaitlin Kingsford is in her final year at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science. She has a permanent part-time position at the firm assisting the lawyers and liaising with potential new clients. |
Click on the photos to the left or right to see the rest of the team. To find out more about a team member, click on their picture.
Armstrong Thompson Barristers and Solicitors is a specialist law firm, with offices in Wellington and Tauranga, New Zealand. We specialise in accident compensation (ACC) law, and also act for clients in health and safety law and employment law. Armstrong Thompson Barristers and Solicitors’ staff understand that ACC, employment and health and safety disputes can be distressing, and we work closely with you to resolve your issues with as little difficulty as possible. We are willing to act for you in your ACC, employment and health and safety law issues no matter where in New Zealand you live.
Armstrong Thompson Barristers and Solicitors has a high level of success in resolving ACC, employment and health and safety issues. Hazel Armstrong, the firm’s principal, has been resolving ACC disputes for over a decade, and is the Spokesperson for the ACC Futures Coalition, which aims to uphold the integrity of New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme. We’ve also worked closely with unions, such as the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union, on issues such as ACC, employment disputes, contract drafting and health and safety consultation.
Armstrong Thompson Barristers and Solicitors believes in providing clients with clear and practical advice. We understand that engaging in legal disputes can be stressful, so we aim to make the resolution process as clear and stress-free as possible. We act for clients from all around New Zealand.
We are aware that hiring a lawyer can place a financial strain on those in disadvantaged positions, which is why Armstrong Thompson Barristers and Solicitors endeavour to keep our fees competitive. We are also registered legal aid providers, meaning we can provide legal services to those unable to fund their own case. We also have fee agreements with several unions around the country.