Eclecticism versus Purity: Mediation Styles Used in New Zealand Employment Disputes

Most employment mediation in New Zealand is carried out by Resolution Services under the Employment Relations Act 2000. This article focuses on mediation styles. According to policy and statute, what styles are claimed to be used? According to mediators, what styles are actually used? What are the repercussions of these findings? Resolution Services’ eclectic approach to mediation styles is both consciously practiced and effective. However, this approach means that parties have little idea which style to expect and that mediators are mixing and matching styles which, according to the style creators, are not supposed to be mixed and matched.