Articles

Back to Blog

Rural eSpeaking - Summer 2024

Kia oraToday we have published the Summer edition of Rural eSpeaking; the PDF is attached below.Inside:The moral dilemma of virtual fencingOverturning the foreshore and seabed decision: Changes for customary marine title applicantsOver the fence: Requirements when transporting livestock – Recent NZ-UAE free trade agreement – Employment contracts for seasonal workersIf you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of course on any other rural or general legal matter, please don’t h...

Fineprint Summer 2024

Kia oraToday we have published the Summer 2024 edition of Fineprint; your PDF is attached. We hope you find the articles both interesting and useful.Inside:Why should I look at my will? Review at life’s milestonesHiring casual employees: Employers have significant legal responsibilitiesEligible investor exemption: In light of the Du Val insolvencyModernising the Companies ActPostscript: Feedback about NZ Post’s service obligations – Beware of scammers in the coming Christmas seas...

Property eSpeaking - Summer 2024 Edition

Kia oraToday we have published the Summer 2024 edition of Property Speaking; your PDF is attached. We hope that you find the articles to be both interesting and useful.Inside:Neighbourhood subdivisions: What is going up over the fence?Assignment of commercial leases: When your tenant sells their businessProperty briefs: Break fees: repaying your mortgage early – Refixing your mortgage interest rate – Refinancing mortgages: switching to a different lenderIf you would like to talk mo...

Commercial eSpeaking - Spring 2024 Edition

Kia ora,Today we have published the Spring edition of our business-focussed e-newsletter, Commercial eSpeaking. The PDF is attached. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:Voidable transactions: Liquidator can claw back paymentsEmbracing Tikanga Māori in your commercial contracts: Seeking ways to respect and incorporate differences into business practicesBusiness briefs: Companies Act reforms announced – Siouxsie Wiles employment decision – New bill to imp...

Trust eSpeaking - Spring 2024 edition

Kia oraToday we have published the Spring 2024 edition of Trust eSpeaking; your PDF is attached. We hope you find the articles interesting and useful.Inside:Contracting out agreements for relationships late in life: A wise move as financial affairs are more complexThe plight of stepchildren: Non-traditional family structures can result in unfair estate outcomesWill-making when you have overseas assets: Some key considerationsIf you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of ...

Rural eSpeaking - Winter 2024

Kia ora,Today we have published the Winer edition of Rural eSpeaking; your PDF is attached.Inside:Budget 2024: What was in it for the rural sector?The future of indoor pig farming: Concerns that policy is threatening indoor pig farmingOver the fence: Service tenancies on the farm – Checking terms of engagement regarding liability – Farm lease coming to an end? What is requiredIf you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of course on any other rural or general legal mat...

Fineprint Winter 2024

Kia ora,Today we have published the Winter 2024 edition of Fineprint; your PDF is below. We hope you find the articles both interesting and useful.Inside:Preparing your business for saleProviding for your family in your will – You have some legal obligationsEmployee burnout – Acknowledge and address thisAvoiding scams – Tips to protect yourselfPostscript: Holidays Act 2003 to be overhauled – Roadside drug testing to be rolled out – Visual artists will receive royalties when w...

Property eSpeaking - Winter 2024 Edition

Kia ora,Today we have published the Winter 2024 edition of Property Speaking; a PDF is attached below. We hope that you find the articles to be both interesting and useful.Inside:Commercial leases: Reinstatement obligations for tenantsPre-settlement property inspection: The week before settlementProperty briefs: Finance condition in the agreement – LIM condition – Building report conditionIf you would like to talk more about any of these topics, or indeed any other property law or ...

Commercial eSpeaking - Winter 2024 Edition

Kia ora,Today we have published the Winter edition of our business-focussed e-newsletter, Commercial eSpeaking. The PDF is attached. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:The Budget: A no-frills outlookCan losses be recovered from a faulty building? Design professionals can rely on limited liability clausesBusiness briefs: Five companies sentenced over Whakaari/White Island eruption – Navigating financial distress – Commerce Commission win over Viagogo – CCCF...

Rural eSpeaking - Autumn 2024

Kia oraToday we have published the Autumn edition of Rural eSpeaking; your PDF is attached.Inside:Significant Natural Areas: Suspended while government overhauls RMALive animal exports: Government intends to lift the banOver the fence: Contract grazing – 90-day trial periods available again for all employers – Minimising phosphorus in waterwaysIf you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of course on any other rural or general legal matter, please don’t hesitate to c...

Fineprint Autumn 2024

Kia oraToday we have published the Autumn 2024 edition of Fineprint; your PDF is attached below. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:Invoices not being paid on time? A steer for debtors and creditorsPersonal grievances: Employers must act in good faithReceiving an inheritance during your relationshipDo I still need a trust?Postscript: Incorporated societies: must register by April 2026 – Minimum wage increases – Before you digIf you would like to talk mo...

Property eSpeaking - Autumn 2024 Edition

Kia ora,Today we have published the Autumn 2024 edition of Property Speaking; a PDF is attached below. We hope that you find the articles to be both interesting and useful.Inside:Commercial leasing and landlord consent: Tenants wanting to alter the premises or their useEasements: Rights of way, draining sewage and water, and conveying utilitiesProperty briefs: The new government has brought in significant changes to the property sector:Bright-line test changesRMA legislationRental and ...

Trust eSpeaking - Autumn 2024 edition

Kia ora,Today we have published the Autumn 2024 edition of Trust eSpeaking; a PDF is attached below. We hope you find the articles interesting.Inside:Making a bequest to a charity: Careful will drafting is essentialEstates and guarantees: Can cause difficult legal issuesCan your ex-spouse claim your property when you die? Agreeing on a division of relationship property after you and your spouse separate can be fraught.If you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of course ...

Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2024 Edition

Kia ora,Today we have published the Summer 2024 edition of our business focussed e-newsletter, Commercial eSpeaking; the PDF can be downloaded below. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:Trial periods vs probation periods: both are useful for employersWhakaari/White Island eruption: health and safety lessonsBusiness briefs: Cartel conduct: New Zealand’s first ever criminal cartel prosecution – Privacy proposals for biometrics – New reporting obligations...

Rural eSpeaking - Summer 2023

Kia oraToday we have published the Summer edition of Rural eSpeaking; your PDF is attached.Inside:National, ACT and New Zealand First coalition: What can agriculture expect?Three Waters and Resource Management Act 1991 replacement legislation: To be repealedOver the fence: Family home v homestead: implications for relationship property – Road user charges: when to pay them? – Casual employees v seasonal workersIf you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of course on a...

Fineprint Summer 2023

Kia oraToday we have published the Summer 2023 edition of Fineprint; your PDF is attached. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:Two decades on: Proposed changes to the Retirement Villages Act 2003What happens to your children when you separate?Generative AI and copyright: Are you taking the right precautions?Receivership, voluntary administration and liquidation: What are the differences?Postscript: Mainzeal case and the implications for current and future directorsIf ...

Property eSpeaking - Spring 2023 Edition

Kia oraToday we have published the Spring 2023 edition of Property Speaking; your PDF is attached. We hope that you find the articles to be both interesting and useful.Inside:What happens if your builder goes bust? Choose carefullyAlternative methods to sell your property: Auction and tender overviewProperty briefs:First Home Partner scheme on holdCouncil delays for property developersShort-term accommodation – take care, andElection impact on property issuesIf you could like to talk...

Commercial eSpeaking - Spring 2023 Edition

Kia oraToday we have published the Spring 2023 edition of our business-focussed e-newsletter, Commercial eSpeaking; the PDF is attached. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:Mainzeal decision – major implications for company directorsNew retention monies legislation gives better protection – comes into force on 5 OctoberBusiness briefs: Lego wins trade mark dispute with Zuru – Start preparing for the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 – ESG and directors...

Trust eSpeaking - Spring 2023 Edition

Kia oraToday we have published the Spring 2023 edition of Trust eSpeaking; your PDF is attached. We hope you find the articles both interesting and useful.Inside:Decision in ‘Alphabet case’ could change succession landscape – significant issues raisedRefusing an inheritance – what options does a trustee have?Polyamorous relationships – Supreme Court confirms that the Property (Relationships) Act can applyIf you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of course on a...

Fineprint, Winter 2023

Kia oraToday we have published the Winter 2023 edition of Fineprint; your PDF is attached. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:Land covenants: now commonplace in residential developmentsAdvance directives: right to choose your healthcareSchool boards of trustees: significant obligations and responsibilitiesTime changed to raise personal grievance for sexual harassment: extended from 90 days to 12 monthsPostscript: Firearms Register now up and running – Loo...

Rural eSpeaking - Winter 2023

Kia oraToday we have published the Winter edition of Rural eSpeaking; your PDF is attached. Inside:Freshwater farm plans: Roll out by regions starting 1 AugustEmissions Trading Scheme: Two discussion papers invite submissionsOver the fence: Obligations of working dog owners – MPI: Animal welfare checks – Firearms Registry opened 24 June 2023 If you would like to talk more on any of these topics, or of course on any other rural or general legal matter, please don’t hesitate to contact us. T...

Property eSpeaking - Winter 2023 Edition

Kia oraToday we have published the Winter 2023 edition of Property Speaking; your PDF is attached below. We hope that you find the content both useful and interesting.Inside:Kāinga Ora First Home Partner scheme: a co-ownership optionOwning a heritage building: a burden or a boon?Property briefs: Unit titles legislation updates – First Home Grants thresholds increase – Loan to value restrictions easedIf you would like to talk more about any of these topics, or indeed any other prop...

Commercial eSpeaking - Winter 2023 Edition

Kia oraToday we have published the Winter 2023 edition of our business-focussed e-newsletter, Commercial eSpeaking; the PDF is attached. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful.Inside:2023 Budget – key pointsBusiness continuity planning: An essential component of running a businessBusiness briefs: Update on construction contracts retention regime – New obligations for businesses offering Buy Now Pay Later – Large businesses may need to disclose payment practices ...

Rural eSpeaking - Autumn 2023

Kia oraToday we have published the Autumn 2023 edition of Rural eSpeaking; This issue is very much focussed on the effects of recent severe weather events, in particular the unwelcome visits of Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, and how you can help mitigate against the effects of these storms.Inside:Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Act 2023: Assisting recovery and improving resilienceLeased land impacted by Hale and Gabrielle: Some options for lesseesOver the fence: Resource Management ...

Fineprint, Autumn 2023

Kia oraToday we have published the Autumn 2023 edition of Fineprint. We hope you find the content both interesting and useful. Inside:Keeping your employees during the ‘big quit’: Retention tools and some risksGuest editorial – Having a cyber resilient business. Jan Thornborough, founder of Intelligensia.Bank of children: Children helping their parentsDriving on a limited licence: Can be done, but strict conditions applyPostscript: Minimum wage increased on 1 April 2023 – Improving the s...