About Your Employment Rights Advocates
Meet the team that are committed to ensuring you have the best advice and support tackle your employment issues.
Meet Ruth Pettengell
Email: ruth@advocatesatwork.co.nz
Phone: 021 563 623
I'm Ruth Pettengell, your dedicated Employment Law specialist. If you're facing an unfair or unpleasant situation at work and need to understand your rights, I'm here to provide the expert advice and support required to tackle your situation head-on.
I started Advocates at Work after experiencing workplace bullying firsthand. I learned effective strategies for managing all workplace relationship issues and have since dedicated my career to helping employees understand, navigate and get fair outcomes for their own challenging situations.
With over 60 clients a year, I've successfully helped clients win cases of bullying, unfair dismissal, redundancy, unreasonable performance appraisals, disciplinary meetings, and medical dismissals. There's nothing that surprises me anymore, and I've successfully taken on and won big and small cases.
With degrees in Psychology and Political Science, I understand how people react to stressful situations. Coupled with nearly a decade of experience as an Employment Law Advocate and a strong track record with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), I know how to navigate New Zealand's employment dispute resolution system. I've successfully represented employees in personal grievances, mediations, and ERA hearings, and know how to use these processes to achieve a fair outcome.
My extensive Employment Law experience means whatever your workplace problem, I can help you!
Meet Kam Andrews
Born in London, Kam Andrews studied law while working for British Airways later going on to complete her professional legal exams in the UK. Since moving to New Zealand in 2009, Kam has built more than 14 years of experience in the employment law and workplace relations space, helping employees and employers navigate some of the most challenging and emotionally charged situations of their working lives.
Kam is passionate about people and genuinely loves the work she does. She approaches workplace issues like a Rubik’s Cube — carefully analysing each moving part, looking for practical solutions, and helping clients find clarity during difficult times. Known for being approachable, down-to-earth, and determined, Kam believes every person deserves to feel heard, supported, and fairly treated.
Life has not always been plain sailing, and those experiences have shaped Kam’s resilience, empathy, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. She believes in stepping up, fronting up, and doing the best she can in every situation — values that carry through both her personal and professional life.
Outside of work, Kam is a proud wife and mother to three beautiful children, who she describes as having incredible and responsible attitudes. Family, integrity, and helping others remain at the centre of everything she does.
Meet Aaron Macey
I'm currently completing the final stage of my Law degree at the University of Canterbury, where I've studied part-time while working and volunteering within the community. Throughout my studies, I've been passionate about using the law to help people understand their rights and achieve fair outcomes.
For more than three years I've volunteered with Community Law Canterbury as a Team Leader for one of its evening legal clinics, helping people navigate a wide range of legal issues, including employment matters. I have also volunteered with the Prison Education Project, developing educational resources to help people understand their legal rights as they prepare for release from prison.
Beyond my legal work, I'm a strong advocate within the LGBTQIA+ community. I founded the University of Canterbury's Queer in Law and Criminal Justice student group to promote inclusion and ensure queer students have a voice within the legal profession.
Before entering the legal field, I worked in hospitality, where I saw firsthand how easily workplace cultures can cross the line from being enjoyable to becoming unhealthy or unfair. Having also experienced workplace bullying personally, I understand how stressful and isolating employment disputes can be. Those experiences drive my commitment to ensuring people are treated fairly and receive the minimum rights and protections they're entitled to under New Zealand employment law.
At Advocates at Work, I combine practical advocacy experience with strong legal research and analytical skills. I enjoy carefully working through complex employment issues, identifying the strongest legal arguments, and helping clients understand their options so they can approach difficult situations with confidence.
MQ - Exit Package
DA from Timaru - Exit Package
TL from Auckland - Exit Negotiations
Our Network
As members of the Employment Law Institute of New Zealand (ELINZ), we are well connected within the employment law industry and stay up to date with the latest employment laws and regulations.
In addition to our expertise, we have strong relationships with other legal experts, government organisations, and industry contacts to ensure you access to the best advice and representation. If we're not the right fit for your specific needs, we can confidently connect you with someone who is.
"Ruth has been incredible throughout my wrongful dismissal dispute, making sure I felt heard and understood. She empathised completely and remembered every minor detail from our first conversation.
Your care, compassion, and understanding were exceptional. I honestly couldn’t have made it through without your unwavering support. It felt as if you were right by my side, guiding me through this rollercoaster.
Thank you for everything, especially the favourable outcome. Your expertise in employment law is truly exceptional."
NC, Auckland