Reso launches AI dispute platform for New Zealand HR

Reso has launched an AI-based employment dispute resolution platform in New Zealand, designed for HR and management teams.

The Wellington-based business says the product assesses workplace disputes and suggests response pathways, next steps, and draft communications for matters including personal grievances, disciplinary processes, restructuring, and dismissal claims.

Its launch comes as employment disputes rise in New Zealand. Reso cited Employment Relations Authority figures showing applications increased 39% in the two years to 2024, reaching 2,745 formal filings.

The company is entering a market where the use of general AI tools in legal and employment matters is drawing scrutiny. Courts in New Zealand have reported more AI-generated errors in legal filings, including submissions that referenced non-existent cases, prompting warnings from judges and tribunals.

Reso says its system is limited to a ring-fenced body of New Zealand employment law and checks citations against original judgments. The business was co-founded by New Zealand litigator James Wollerman.

Local focus

Employment is the first dispute area available on the platform. Reso plans to add modules for construction and real estate disputes.

The company is targeting organisations that deal with frequent and complex employment issues, including employers in the public sector, local government, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, education, aged care, and early childhood education. Those sectors often face added pressure because of large or shift-based workforces, regulatory requirements, and limited internal HR resources.

Wollerman said the business was built to address missed opportunities to resolve disputes before they escalate.

"The opportunity to resolve disputes at an early stage is often missed and can lead to significant time, cost, stress, and poor outcomes," said James Wollerman, Director, Legal, Reso.

He said the system was intended to give employers an early view of their legal position without relying on general-purpose AI outputs.

"I could see the potential for AI to give employers a clear, upfront view of their legal position, so they could manage disputes with confidence, but only if it was grounded in actual legislation and case law, not pattern-matching. That's what we built Reso to do. Every dispute is assessed against New Zealand employment law, so employers get comprehensive reasoning, not plausible-sounding but baseless estimates," Wollerman said.

Reso describes itself as a dispute assessment platform that helps organisations understand issues earlier and decide whether to resolve them internally or escalate them. The employment module is now available to businesses in New Zealand.