Concerns. Conflicts. Complaints.
We help you
Listen, Respond, Grow
Investigations, reviews, training, and resolution for community-facing organisations across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.
Concerns don't just disappear
Every organisation that works with people will receive concerns and complaints about behaviour or organisational performance. Those concerns vary enormously – from interpersonal conflict to allegations of serious misconduct. How these situations are handled has an outsized effect on the people involved and the organisation. Issues that aren’t taken seriously don’t disappear. They grow, involve more people, and become harder to resolve.
The organisations that come through the most difficult situations well aren’t the ones that avoid them. They’re the ones that set themselves up to hear concerns early, respond with fairness and competence, learn from the experience, and gain the trust and confidence of their people and community in the process.
We enable our clients to do exactly that. Turning moments of pressure into opportunities for growth.
A different kind of specialist
Concerns, conflicts and complaints land differently for community-facing organisations. Many are governed by boards, trustees and elected personnel. Trust, not profit, is their licence to operate. Maintaining relationships and reputation with stakeholders is key to long-term sustainability.
That’s why these sectors require more than just generalist support. They need someone with both process knowledge and genuine familiarity with the operating environment.
Basalt was built specifically for these organisations. Our team combines legal training and high-end investigation and risk management skills with operational experience in organisations with public and community accountability – leadership in the public sector, schools, residential communities and faith communities; teaching in schools and the tertiary sector; nonprofit and charity governance roles; and experience supporting workplaces through leadership, cultural, and wellbeing challenges. We understand what’s actually at stake, and provide the specialised service our clients deserve.
Where we work
We’ve worked with:
- Independent and state schools
- Tertiary institutions
- Nonprofits
- Charities
- Churches
- Local government
Our services
We provide support throughout the full life cycle of a concern, conflict or complaint. From the initial conversation through to resolution.
Independent Concerns Resolution
An independent place for concerns to go when internal processes aren’t enough, or aren’t the right fit. We listen first, help clarify what’s at stake and what outcome is being sought, then recommend the right path, from early resolution through to investigation. From a simple escalation point to fully managed reporting, we tailor this managed service to your organisation.
Dispute Resolution & Conflict Coaching
Many issues can potentially be resolved, if addressed early enough. We work with all parties to clarify the issues, identify what’s actually contested, and guide the matter towards a fair, durable outcome. Where resolution isn’t possible, you’ll have clarity on the key issues and be well placed for what comes next.
Training
Specialist training for leaders handling complex and sensitive matters, delivered by facilitators with real investigation and leadership experience. Includes our school-specific programme equipping staff to investigate bullying and other student and staff matters.
Advisory Support
For organisations running their own internal investigation. We provide phased guidance – scoping, evidence gathering, and reporting – so your process holds up to scrutiny, without us running it for you.
Reviews
When you want to get ahead of risk, or need an honest answer about what happened and how it was handled, a review gives you an independent, reliable assessment, and an opportunity to come out stronger.
Investigations
When a specific allegation has been raised against an individual, an investigation establishes the facts before you make any decisions. We gather evidence, make findings, and report back – efficiently and defensibly.
Profit with purpose
We believe business can be a force for good. A portion of our profits supports anti-trafficking work across the Asia-Pacific region. To learn more about this, contact us and we’ll be happy to tell you all about it.
Whether you’re building capability through training or need immediate support for a sensitive matter, early engagement enables us to find the right solution for you.