What is dispute resolution?
Dispute resolution processes such as mediation and facilitation help you to resolve a conflict. The process is focused on collaboration to improve your ongoing relationship with the person (or people) you're in conflict with, and the aim of the process is to minimise disruption and stress.
The mediator or facilitator will not allocate blame, make decisions for you, or give legal advice. Instead, they are an impartial and acceptable third person who will help all of the people involved:
- identify differences and relevant issues
- generate options for settlement
- consider alternatives to reach your own mutually acceptable solution.
The mediation service will respond quickly and confidentially when asked to act.
What happens during the process?
The mediator will work with you and the other person (or people) to establish the process and a timeframe.
Both you and the other person (or people) can agree on the process you want to use. However, if you cannot reach an agreement, the following process will be followed.
1
The mediator will meet with each of you privately to hear about the differences and to explore the issues.
2
If you and the other person (or people) agree, the mediator will hold a joint meeting in a neutral venue.
You are welcome to seek outside advice and you may also, by agreement, request a support person attend the meeting with you.
3
In some cases, one joint meeting may be all that is needed.
On other occasions, several meetings and more than one private discussion may be necessary. There may also be additional follow-up after the joint meeting.
If this is the case, the mediator will arrange further meetings with you.
4
If it's not possible to come to a resolution, and there can be no productive outcomes for you, then you will need to explore other options.
Contact the mediation service
Contact Julia Pedley, or any of our trained and accredited mediators directly. If everyone involved in the dispute agrees to mediation, then a mediator or facilitator will be appointed – the mediator must be acceptable to all of you.
Julia Pedley
Director University Mediation Service and University Disputes Advisor
Email: j.p.pedley@massey.ac.nz or mediation@massey.ac.nz
Phone: +64 6 951 6272
Auckland-based mediators
Manawatū-based mediators
Virginia Goldblatt
Consultant
Phone: 027 479 4369
Email: v.goldblatt@massey.ac.nz
Simon Cayzer
Director
Phone: 027 548 1701
Email: simon@navigators.org.nz
Trevor Weir
Consultant
Phone: 027 359 8697
Email: trevorandkama1@gmail.com
Megan Gordon
Consultant
Phone: 021 161 5946
Email: meganruth@xtra.co.nz
Wellington-based mediators
Denise Evans
Aspire Dispute Resolution
Phone: 027 485 9684
Email: denise@adrnz.com
Adam Lewis
Barrister and Mediator
Phone: 027 481 1514
Staff or students may also approach the University Mediation Service directly to discuss a situation and ask for advice on process. If the matter proceeds to mediation or facilitation, you may request a different mediator.
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