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An Investigation Report documents the findings, evidence, and conclusions from a formal inquiry into workplace incidents, complaints, or potential misconduct in New Zealand organizations. These reports help businesses meet their obligations under key laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Employment Relations Act 2000.

A well-structured report outlines what happened, analyzes relevant evidence, interviews witnesses, and recommends specific actions. It creates a clear audit trail for employment decisions, helps prevent future incidents, and can protect organizations if legal issues arise. Many Kiwi employers use these reports for everything from accident investigations to addressing workplace bullying claims.

Create an Investigation Report immediately when workplace incidents occur - from serious accidents and equipment failures to allegations of harassment or misconduct. These reports are essential when dealing with situations that could lead to legal action, WorkSafe NZ investigations, or employment disputes under New Zealand law.

Use this documentation process for near-misses, health and safety breaches, suspected fraud, disciplinary matters, or any incident requiring formal review. Starting the investigation promptly helps preserve evidence, protect employee rights, and demonstrate your organization's commitment to proper incident management. It also builds a solid foundation if employment court proceedings or regulatory audits follow.

• Health and Safety Investigation Reports focus on workplace accidents, injuries, or near-misses, analyzing root causes and prevention measures
• Employment Misconduct Reports examine behavioral issues, policy violations, or harassment claims in line with ERA requirements
• Financial Investigation Reports detail suspected fraud, accounting irregularities, or compliance breaches
• Environmental Incident Reports document breaches of resource management regulations or environmental impacts
• Quality Control Investigation Reports analyze product defects, service failures, or systematic operational issues

• HR Managers: Often lead investigations into workplace misconduct, coordinate witness interviews, and compile findings
• Health & Safety Officers: Conduct accident investigations and prepare detailed incident analysis reports
• External Investigators: Independent professionals brought in for complex or sensitive cases requiring impartial review
• Legal Counsel: Review reports for compliance with NZ employment law and advise on legal implications
• Senior Management: Receive findings, implement recommendations, and ensure appropriate follow-up actions
• WorkSafe Inspectors: May review investigation reports during workplace safety audits or incident investigations

• Initial Details: Document incident date, time, location, and parties involved immediately after occurrence
• Evidence Collection: Gather photos, videos, documents, emails, and physical evidence before they're altered or lost
• Witness Statements: Interview all relevant parties promptly, recording their accounts accurately and objectively
• Timeline Creation: Map out the sequence of events using collected evidence and statements
• Policy Review: Check relevant workplace policies, procedures, and NZ regulations that apply
• Documentation: Use our platform to generate a structured report template ensuring all key elements are included

• Incident Summary: Clear description of the event, including date, time, location, and parties involved
• Investigation Scope: Defined parameters and objectives of the investigation process
• Evidence Section: Detailed list of collected evidence, witness statements, and supporting documents
• Analysis: Objective evaluation of findings against relevant workplace policies and NZ regulations
• Privacy Statement: Compliance with Privacy Act 2020 regarding personal information handling
• Recommendations: Specific actions to prevent recurrence and address identified issues
• Authentication: Investigator's name, role, signature, and date of report completion

An Investigation Report differs significantly from an Incident Report in scope, detail, and purpose. While both documents record workplace events, they serve distinct functions in New Zealand's legal and business context.

• Depth and Purpose: Investigation Reports provide comprehensive analysis of complex situations, including detailed findings, witness statements, and recommendations. Incident Reports simply record basic facts about an event.
• Timeline: Incident Reports are completed immediately after an event occurs, while Investigation Reports develop over time through careful evidence gathering and analysis.
• Legal Weight: Investigation Reports carry more substantial legal significance, often used in employment proceedings or WorkSafe investigations. Incident Reports primarily serve as initial documentation.
• Content Structure: Investigation Reports include methodology, evidence analysis, and detailed conclusions. Incident Reports focus on who, what, when, and where of immediate events.