We're the people experience specialists

Grow your people, grow your business. We’ll support you in supporting your people.

Call us at 0800 300 362
Join the EMA

People experience is HR, supercharged

People experience is HR, supercharged​

Attract

We help you stand out in a crowded market; so the right talent finds you first and chooses you fast.

Engage

Engaged teams deliver better outcomes; we help you create the conditions where people do their best work.

Grow

Growth isn’t just for individuals; we help you scale learning to fuel business momentum.

Retain

We help you keep your best; by building environments where purpose, progress, and belonging thrive.

Attract

We help you stand out in a crowded market; so the right talent finds you first and chooses you fast.

Engage

Engaged teams deliver better outcomes; we help you create the conditions where people do their best work.

Grow

Growth isn’t just for individuals; we help you scale learning to fuel business momentum.

Retain

We help you keep your best; by building environments where purpose, progress, and belonging thrive.

Get in touch to book a consultation

AdviceLine is the gateway to your solutions

Call our Member-only AdviceLine as often as you need. Our in-house team are available to answer your employment relations questions, connect you with lawyers or consultants, and direct you towards relevant services and resources.

0800 300 362

Professional human resources learning and development

Human Resource Management – An Introduction (HR101)

Performance Management (HR 204)

Intro to Supporting People Strengths (PX101)

Intro to Mitigating People Problems (PX102)

View all upcoming HR courses

Outsource your HR to the experts

We’ll manage your HR so you can focus on growing your business – backed by the full suite of EMA services, connections, and expertise.

With subscription plans made to fit your business and flexible, predictable costs, this service comes highly recommended by our clients. Watch the video to learn how Flo and Frankie scaled their business and people with our support.

Request a no-obligation consultation today

Meet the team that helps you excel

The EMA’s People Experience team is your ecosystem of support to attract, engage, grow and retain your people. 

Mauro Barsi

Head of Legal, Consultancy and General Counsel

Kathy McCombe

HR Managed Serivces Delivery Manager

Drew Prescott

HR Business Partner

Aimee Graham

HR Business Partner

Tammi Watson

HR Business Partner

Monette Gildenhuys

HR Business Partner

Melissa Rees

HR Business Partner

Lisa Young

HR Business Partner

Liz Tibbet

HR Business Partner

Julie Newman

HR Business Partner

Rachel Callaghan

HR Business Partner

Rachel Larsen

HR Business Partner

Summer Zhang

HR Business Partner

Terry Shelley

HR Business Partner

Carol Abernathy

HR Consultant and Business Partner

Kirsty Thomas

HR Consultant

Rebecca Agent

HR Business Partner

Maria Grogan

HR Business Partner

Get in touch to book a consultation

Check out our useful resources

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FREE RESOURCE

Performance versus Potential Matrix

Download
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Framework

Performance and Development Framework

Purchase
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ARTICLE

The harm of neglecting mental health

Read more
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FREE resource

Managing under-performance at work

Download

Not an EMA Member? That's ok, we can still help.
Enquire today about your options.

Not an EMA Member? That's ok, we can still help.
Enquire today about your options.

Enquire today about EMA Membership

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Mauro Barsi

Head of Legal, Consultancy and General Counsel

Mauro is an experienced advocate for businesses and employers and a trusted advisor when you need it most. He brings a powerful mix of practical knowledge in Employment Relations and Human Resources, litigation experience; and time spent as a senior leader in both the public and private sectors, all to help resolve your issues quickly and effectively. 

Having worked in-house with organisations to manage growth and transformation projects, his broad business management knowledge means he brings an overarching approach to issues. Mauro helps businesses shape their organisations through strategy, bargaining, restructuring and the implementation of new people structures, through to managing personal grievances, investigations, and employment disputes.

Kathy McCombe

Kathy has over 30 years of experience in client relationship management.
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Her strong interpersonal and communications skills enable her to build and maintain relationships with clients. Along with her ability to lead and her passion for providing outstanding service the outcome is providing continual exceptional customer service.

Drew Prescott

Drew graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in psychology and criminology where she then joined the EMA as an HR Intern before moving into an Employer Advisor and People & Culture Advisor role.
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In 2022, Drew completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. Drew has since gained significant experience in partnering with EMA and businesses across all aspects of HR including restructuring, performance frameworks & wellbeing.
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Aimee Graham

Employer Advisor

Aimee joined the EMA in September 2022 as a part of the People & Capability Team, where she led the Talent Acquisition function and provided project-based work for our People Experience Team.

In May 2024, Aimee was seconded into an Employer Advisor role as part of the AdviceLine team to provide employment relations advice to Members.

Tammi Watson

Tammi is a commercially focused HR professional who has spent 10+ years working alongside senior leaders across a range of industries in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in NZ and the UK.
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She focuses on finding solutions across all disciplines of HRM and the employee experience, ultimately to achieve win/win outcomes for organisations and their people. Her work ranges from capability frameworks, board reports, interview guides, sales incentive plans, org induction presentations and performance management toolkits.

Monette Gildenhuys

Monette is a dedicated Human Resources professional recognised for upholding a productive work ethic and delivering consistent results. Monette’s background encompasses recruitment, onboarding processes, performance management, employment relations, Health & Safety coordination, and drafting Standard Operating Procedures. 

Monette provides excellent advice to managers on employment matters and supports managers with one-on-one coaching for conflict resolution. Additionally, Monette develops effective recruitment and onboarding programmes and leads initiatives to enhance employee engagement, such as surveys and health programmes. Monette focuses on ensuring compliance and best practices in each aspect of the HR function, contributing to a positive, safe, and effective workplace culture.

Melissa Rees

Melissa has worked across and within a diverse range of businesses and industries. From entertainment, engineering, FMCG, education, power and most recently in the aged care industry.
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Her years in human resources have been defined by a strong commitment to fostering organisational growth through effective coaching and performance management. With expertise in employment law, her approach is grounded in legal proficiency and a genuine understanding of both employee and executive needs.

Lisa Young

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Lisa is an accomplished HR generalist and small business owner with a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management and over 10 years of HR experience across a range of industries, including technology, media, healthcare, trades, and retail.
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Having worked with both large corporates and small businesses, she is passionate about partnering with leaders to foster strong, compliant work environments and high performing teams. Lisa draws on her extensive knowledge to guide businesses through HR challenges, enhance workplace culture, and align HR strategies with business goals to drive sustainable growth.

Liz Tibbet

Liz is an MBA qualified influential leader with 25+ years of human resources, management and consulting experience across all sectors in New Zealand and the UK. She is a Licensed Private Investigator enabling her to carry out workplace investigations, complimented by qualifications in Prince2, SHL and OPRA registration, HR, training and development, facilitation and counselling. Specialties: Employment Relations, HR Data, Analysis & Reporting, Remuneration & Benefits, Workforce Planning & Forecasting, Strategic Human Resources, Organisational Development, Change Management.

There is no problem or challenge in your business that Liz cannot tackle, her wealth of knowledge will set your business up for success or on the right path from day one.

Carol Abernathy

Carol is an experienced recruiter, HR director, business consultant and small business owner with diverse skillsets and knowledge in HR, operations and finance.
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Tertiary qualified with a B.Sc (Psych), Grad Dip Bus (HR), Post Grad Dip Bus (Finance) from the University of Auckland. Currently carrying out a variety of HR and recruitment projects with selected clients across NZ and Australia.

Rebecca Agent

Rebecca Agent is a seasoned consulting and advisory professional with over 20 years of experience driving enterprise transformation, strategic execution, and operational excellence across diverse industries.

As a consultant working with the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) New Zealand and its members, Rebecca brings a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to supporting organisations in navigating complex business challenges.

With a background spanning strategy, change management, business transformation, operational performance and sustainability, Rebecca specialises in helping organisations optimise their structures, processes, and people strategies to improve efficiency, resilience, and growth.