At a Special General Meeting last week, LEADR NZ took the final step to create an integrated LEADR which has more than 2,600 members across Australia, New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific.

LEADR is a vibrant not-for -profit organisation of Alternative Dispute Resolution practitioners which fosters excellence in mediation and other forms of ADR.  "This is a bold step which enables LEADR to extend its reach and positively influence in our increasingly globalised world”  says Mark Beech, former Chair of LEADR NZ and LEADR Board member.

“We are excited to be moving forward as an integrated organisation that can draw on a wide and international pool of expertise and experience.  This offers increased opportunities to exchange ideas, resources, initiatives and work and study opportunities across Australasia” says Margaret Halsmith, LEADR Chair.

“LEADR will continue to offer quality training in mediation and conflict management coaching skills throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Asia Pacific region. The LEADR offices in Wellington and Sydney will continue to provide support, services and referrals to business, government, legal communities and the public” Mark Beech says.

ADR is now well established, with people increasingly using the expertise of mediators, negotiators and conflict coaches to support and enable them to generate their own solutions to their disputes. Mediation is widely used for dispute resolution in a wide range of disputes including commercial, employment, community and family disputes.

Background Information

LEADR is a vibrant not-for-profit membership organisation of more than 2600 mediators and other ADR practitioners. “LEADR’s founders, lawyers engaged in litigation at the time, believed they had an ethical obligation to help people find more constructive ways of resolving disputes. They envisioned a bold alternative: people, business, government and communities considering and attempting negotiation, mediation and other forms of ADR rather than relying only on litigation, court proceedings and judicial determination” says Margaret Halsmith, LEADR Chair.

LEADR’s members have backgrounds in a wide range of disciplines including accounting, building and construction, human resources, law, psychology and social work and deliver ADR services in business, family and community settings. LEADR delivers high quality training programs for individuals who wish to become ADR practitioners, undertake continuing professional development or apply ADR and related skills in their workplaces.