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 David Dewhurst
Kia Ora, I’m David Dewhurst, and I’m here to listen, advise, and guide you through to resolution of issues that have challenged workplace relationships.
I’m motivated by a strong sense of fairness and social justice. I believe everyone should be heard and treated properly, but I know that’s not always the case in difficult workplaces. Often, people feel powerless or ignored—that’s where I step in to help.
I use my training from a Master of Arts Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Management to help me analyse complex situations and find solutions to problems.
I also bring more than 30 years of experience as a people-centred Manager to my Employment Advocacy work. As someone who has worked with Business Owners and Managers to help them build better relationships with teams over the years, I understand how workplace dynamics can become difficult. I now use this experience to assist employees who are facing challenges at work and I help employees find the best solution in the circumstances.
In the past two years I have particularly concentrated on migrant worker issues and helped over 50 people by guiding them through situations that frightened and bewildered them.
I take a calm and empathetic approach, focusing on understanding the facts of your situation and providing clear, practical advice based on New Zealand Employment Law. My role is to make sure your voice is heard and to work with you towards a fair outcome.
MQ - Exit Package
TL from Auckland - Exit Negotiations
BG from Northland - Exit Negotiation
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