Marie Tovio Consulting

Home
New Zealand
Nelson
Marie Tovio Consulting

Marie Tovio Consulting can assist with human resources and strategic planning. She has worked across a wide range of industries, businesses and sectors.

Marie has worked in the field of HR and employment relations for over 28 years (including the past 10 years as a Consultant). Marie is degree qualified, is a registered private investigator and also has governance experience. Marie assists businesses and organisations with all aspects of human resources, taking the stress out of meeting HR requirements for owners, managers and Board members. Contact her today to see how she might assist you.

15/01/2026

Policies should clarify, not confuse.

We simplify HR frameworks so everyone knows the rules - and enjoys working within them. 🧵

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

www.tovioconsulting.co.nz

13/01/2026

🎙 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗪
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗥 𝗣𝗜 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗼
🕵️‍♀️ 𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 10: "𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦”

Change is hard. But sometimes it’s necessary.

In our latest episode, we tackle one of the most complex and sensitive challenges leaders face: company restructures.

🌟 When are restructures justified?
🤝 What does consultation really mean in practice?
⚖️ How do you stay compliant while making tough decisions that impact real people?

Whether you’re a business owner, HR leader, or people manager navigating change, this episode will equip you with practical insights and frameworks to approach restructures with clarity, confidence, and compliance.

🎧 Listen now: https://youtu.be/Tp_zdOUCJsg

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

12/01/2026

If you’re looking forward to the upcoming long weekends this summer, or heading into a belated but well-deserved break, January is a perfect time to revisit some of the HR and Employment Relations insights that shaped last year.

I’ve pulled together a short collection of articles and podcasts that stood out in 2025: practical pieces filled with tools, trends, and perspectives to help leaders, managers, and HR professionals navigate the busy months ahead with confidence.

Grab a quiet moment, pour a coffee, and enjoy the read.

Here’s the link to the curated holiday list:
https://a0ec51ac-7ebe-493e-8532-8898a1ed0b80.filesusr.com/ugd/1a0d3a_560b1241435e4862bdb5e6221b76c169.pdf

Wishing you a strong start to 2026.

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

07/01/2026

Feedback can be tricky - but ignoring it is worse.

We help managers navigate sensitive conversations that strengthen teams instead of setting fires. 🔥

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

📱 021 932 332
📧 marie@tovioconsulting.co.nz
🌐 www.tovioconsulting.co.nz/book-online

05/01/2026

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗨𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 - 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄

On 17 November 2025, the Supreme Court of New Zealand confirmed that four representative Uber drivers were employees, not independent contractors, while logged into the app and accepting trips.
This comes at a pivotal time, with the Employment Relations Amendment Bill (No. 175-1) moving through Parliament - proposing the biggest shake-up in contractor law in over a decade.

For employers, this creates a two-fold challenge:
1️⃣ Understanding the immediate implications of the Uber ruling.
2️⃣ Preparing for the new “Gateway Test”, which will change how contractor relationships are assessed.

We help organisations navigate these complex changes, ensuring compliance while maintaining flexibility in workforce planning. Whether you’re reviewing contractor agreements or considering workforce restructuring, now is the time to act.

Learn more about what this ruling and the new legislation could mean for your business:https://a0ec51ac-7ebe-493e-8532-8898a1ed0b80.filesusr.com/ugd/1a0d3a_0b90ca1fd54f4413bbb773795a25f405.pdf

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

01/01/2026

It’s tempting for business leaders to lean on AI to review or refine HR policies, especially over the busy holiday period. And yes - AI can be a huge time-saver, helping with routine tasks, data insights, and workflow efficiency.

But when it comes to sensitive, complex, or personal HR matters, nothing replaces the human touch.

AI can’t fully grasp employee emotions, local employment laws, or the nuance required in tricky situations - and sometimes it gets things wrong. Experienced HR/ER professionals bring knowledge, judgment, empathy, and perspective that AI simply can’t replicate.

Efficiency is great - but people-centric HR always comes first.

📖 Read our guide on how to embrace AI while retaining a strategic and people-centric approach to HR - tovioconsulting.co.nz/_files/ugd/1a0d3a_72e67b4558bb4c9aa676b92de23ee131.pdf

30/12/2025

Looking to start 2026 compliant and confident?

We know how overwhelming it can be to keep your people policies compliant, practical, and ready for your growing business. That’s why we’ve created our HR Essentials Pack - designed to take the stress out of getting compliant and confident.

• Simple, ready-to-use templates
• Practical guidance for real-world HR challenges
• Perfect for growing businesses looking to start the year on the right foot

Don’t let policy gaps slow you down. Kick off 2026 with confidence, knowing your people practices are compliant and up to date.

👉 Learn more or grab your pack today - www.tovioconsulting.co.nz/policies

28/12/2025

Handling flexible work requests can feel challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.

The key is to assess each request objectively, weighing operational needs, team impact, and business priorities, while ensuring your process is consistent and documented.

Equally important is communicating your decision clearly and compassionately - whether approving, declining, or proposing alternatives - so employees understand the rationale and feel respected.

In the latest episode of The HR PI Podcast with Marie Tovio, we dive into practical strategies to manage flexible work enquiries fairly and confidently: https://youtu.be/Jf-PUVvijzY

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

21/12/2025

Work-life balance isn’t optional - it’s essential.

We support companies in crafting policies that respect personal time and boost productivity. 🌴

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

www.tovioconsulting.co.nz

15/12/2025

🎙 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗪
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗥 𝗣𝗜 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗼
🕵️‍♀️ 𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 9: "𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘌𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘺”

In this thought provoking episode, we dive into one of the most topical issues facing employers and HR teams right now:

🔍 Can you say “no” to a flexible work request?

What constitutes a legitimate business reason for declining? And how do you navigate the conversation fairly and legally?

Whether you’re an HR professional, business owner, or people focused leader, this session offers practical guidance on:
• Understanding the legal landscape around flexible working in New Zealand
• Evaluating flexible work enquiries objectively
• Communicating decisions clearly, compassionately, and compliantly
• Protecting your culture, productivity and commercial imperatives while empowering your people

Marie brings her deep employment relations expertise and trusted consultancy experience to unpack real world scenarios and share actionable take aways your team can use right now.

🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Jf-PUVvijzY

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

14/12/2025

When people know their goals, understand their impact, and can see a clear roadmap, performance lifts. And when leaders have visibility over progress, they can make smarter decisions, shift priorities when needed, and keep the whole organisation heading in the right direction.

That’s when strategy turns into real ex*****on.

As we look ahead to 2026, now is the ideal time to set your organisation up for success. We offer practical, people-centred support to help you navigate both the opportunities and challenges ahead:
• Strategic & operational planning workshops - collaborative, grounded sessions for boards, managers, and teams to clarify priorities and map out your 2025 direction.
• Workplace culture workshops - build a positive, high-performing culture that supports your strategy and strengthens engagement.
• Extended DISC assessments – understand behavioural styles across your team to improve communication, collaboration, and performance.
• Policy & procedure review and development - ensure your policies are compliant, clear, and aligned with where your organisation is heading.

If you’re ready to sharpen your focus and strengthen your foundations for 2026, I’d love to talk:
📱 021 932 332
📧 marie@tovioconsulting.co.nz
🌐 www.tovioconsulting.co.nz

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

11/12/2025

As 2025 wraps up, many businesses are ready to hit pause, exhale, and enjoy a well-earned break.
But before we switch off completely, it’s worth taking a moment to look ahead.

Now is actually the ideal time to set yourself up for a stronger, smoother 2026.

A bit of proactive planning can make a big difference - especially when it comes to those important HR and employment relations tasks that often get pushed aside during a busy year. Reviewing and updating workplace policies, refreshing employment agreements, locking in team training or leadership development, and checking that your ER/HR processes still reflect best practice and legal requirements are all valuable steps to take before the new year begins.

If you’re thinking about what 2026 should look like for your people and your organisation, I’m here to help. Got a question or need support with your planning?
📱 021 932 332
📧 marie@tovioconsulting.co.nz
🌐 www.tovioconsulting.co.nz

𝙈𝙏𝘾 - 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

Address

Nelson

Telephone

+6421932332

Website

http://www.tovioconsulting.co.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Marie Tovio Consulting posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Nelson?