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Latest documents

• RM Reform gets rolling: Bills introduced to Parliament and submission closing date already looming

  Resource management reform is one step closer. The much anticipated Natural and Built Environment Bill and Spatial Planning Bill have been introduced to Parliament and submissions close on 5 February 2023. Please see full Publication below for more information.

• Establishing A Business Entity In New Zealand (Updated)

  TYPES OF BUSINESS ENTITIES - There are various entities available in New Zealand from which a business can be operated. The most commonly adopted entities are: 1. Company (including Incorporated Joint Venture (JVC)) 2. Partnership 3. Limited Partnership (LP) 4. Unincorporated Joint Venture (JV) 5. Trading Trust Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each pose different obligations and requirements, both from a regulatory perspective and an internal perspective. Please see full Chapter below for more information.

• New body corporate laws one step closer

  New body corporate laws are another step closer with the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee having now heard submissions on the Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.

• Jabs, bubbles and burst of changes… Are your employment contracts up to date?

  Changes to New Zealand Employment Law are coming thick and fast since the pandemic landed within our borders. Now is a great time to familiarise yourself and get ahead of the changes ensuring your employment agreements are up-to-date so that your organisation can continue to sail smoothly.

• New Zealand Government Introduces World-First Climate-Reporting Disclosure Laws

  On April 12, 2021, the New Zealand government introduced an omnibus bill into parliament, aiming to introduce mandatory requirements for businesses in the financial sector to disclose the impacts of climate change on themselves and develop strategies to manage climate change risks and opportunities. The Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2021 (Climate Bill) is touted by the New Zealand government as a "world first" piece of legislation.

• Call for changes to the way we vote. But will the lawmakers listen?

  After every general election, the Electoral Commission (Commission) issues a report on how the election went and what, if any, improvements can be made. In the report just published on last year’s general election there is good news and a clear signal some significant changes should be made.

• Can an interest in a discretionary trust ever be a proprietary interest?

  Kea Investments Limited v Watson [2021] JRC 009 - In recent years there have been increasing challenges in foreign courts to the use of corporate and trust structures to hold private wealth. As far as public opinion and news agencies are concerned trusts are utilised for tax avoidance — if not tax evasion — and the avoidance of legitimate claims from the likes of creditors and estranged spouses.

• Is there such a thing as a moral budget?

  As the country stands at that crossroads, today’s budget doesn’t give an entirely clear direction as to which way we’re travelling. Blame Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s instincts. Robertson is a refreshingly emotional politician, unafraid to show his heartfelt empathy for anyone facing tough times. But he is also coolly pragmatic. As fast as he wants to go, he has no appetite for scaring middle voters back to National which means he’s keeping his foot only lightly on the pedal. Please see full Publication below for more information.

• How did the cyber-criminals get away? They ransomware

  What do brewery giants, infrastructure conglomerates, hospitals, and the city of Tulsa have in common? Each have recently been the victim of a ransomware. And they’re just a few of a strew of recent ransomware-based attacks around the world, including in Aotearoa. 

• The 21st Century’s “Chernobyl moment” - Panel finds crucial failures in WHO and worldwide response to COVID-19

  The Helen Clark-led COVID-19 panel of experts has found there were crucial shortcomings in the world’s response to the deadly pandemic, which has now claimed over 3.3 million lives. 

Featured documents

• From the Land Down Under

  I come bearing breaking legal news from the Land Down Under, specifically, New Zealand. It appears that Coca-Cola recently suffered a small setback in its quest for world domination. Those of you familiar with non-traditional trademarks likely know that Coca-Cola has enjoyed a relatively long...

• Guide to Doing Business in New Zealand: Major Forms of Business Organisation (Updated)

  MAJOR FORMS OF BUSINESS ORGANISATION - A foreign company or investor proposing to establish a business in New Zealand may choose from a number of different entities or forms of business organisation. Each of these forms has its advantages and disadvantages. Business owners will need to...

• New Zealand Moves to Streamline Procedure for Employee Equal Pay Claims

  The New Zealand Government recently introduced the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, which aims to enable women to lodge pay equity claims more easily. If enacted, the new law would impose certain obligations on an employer that receives an equal pay claim from an employee....

• Preparing for the Insolvency Practitioners Regulation Act 2019

  With just three months until the Insolvency Practitioners Regulation Act 2019 (IPRA) changes come in, what should you be doing to prepare? With the IPRA fast approaching, we set out what insolvency practitioners should be doing to prepare for the changes....

• Independent contractor or employee – a 'land-mark' decision

  While most have been focused on the implications of COVID-19 on employment relationships, the Employment Court has released what has been described as a “land-mark” decision with respect to the classification of employment relationships, determining that a courier driver ostensibly engaged as a...

• What to expect when you're collecting: Privacy Act 2020

  After much anticipation, the Privacy Bill has passed its third and final reading and is set to be signed into law, with a commencement date for most provisions of 1 December 2020. We’ve published numerous articles on the Bill’s journey and the general outlook for privacy law in New Zealand,...

• A consumer data right – is it New Zealand’s turn for data portability?

  The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (‘MBIE’) has released a discussion document on consumer data rights for New Zealand – whether such rights are needed and what form such rights should take. What is a consumer data right? A consumer data right is the statutory ability for a...

• No rest for employers – holiday reforms on the way

  The long awaited Holidays Act Taskforce report has finally surfaced, aimed at addressing the current confusing regime which has led to a plethora of complexities and errors when dealing with holidays. ...

• The 21st Century’s “Chernobyl moment” - Panel finds crucial failures in WHO and worldwide response to COVID-19

  The Helen Clark-led COVID-19 panel of experts has found there were crucial shortcomings in the world’s response to the deadly pandemic, which has now claimed over 3.3 million lives. ...

• New Zealand's Highest Court Makes Life Difficult for D&O Policyholders (and Their Insurers)

  The Supreme Court of New Zealand (Court) last month handed down the latest in a series of decisions, both in New Zealand and Australia, relating to the enforceability of 'statutory charges' over insurance monies – and it is not good news for Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance policyholders or...