Due Diligence? Due Now!

Abstract

While something of a mouthful, “due diligence”  is an integral part of navigating the framework of Health and Safety Law in Aotearoa. But what is due diligence? How did it get here? What are the legal ramifications of getting it wrong, and what can you practically do to make sure you get it right? Whether you are a PCBU, an officer, employer, employee or merely an interested party, due diligence will impact on your working life in ways you may or may not expect. This paper touches on the scope of the term, its application, and emphasises the importance of understanding both the history as well as the current state of the law as persons in the workplace who may be subject to, or affected by, this important duty.

This work was commissioned by the editor of this journal. The abstract, introduction and conclusion were written collaboratively by the authors, law students at Te Herunga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.