In New Zealand, there is a general legal presumption that once you have been in a de facto relationship for three years, relationship property is to be divided on a 50/50 basis if you separate or one of you dies. You and your partner can agree to divide your relationship property in a way that …
We advise clients on all aspects of commercial leasing, both landlords and tenants, many of which are currently dealing with the impacts of COVID-19. A common issue for commercial tenancies is payment of rent during periods where the tenant’s business cannot operate due to alert levels. This includes: The tenant’s ability to pay rent (as …
Commercial Leasing: Do you have to pay your rent during Lockdown? Read More »
The Government has proposed new regulations for freshwater farm plans. These regulations form part of the Government’s Essential Freshwater reforms, which are intended to achieve the following objectives: halt further degradation of waterways; make material improvement in the health of waterways within five years; and restore degraded waterways within a generation. The Essential Freshwater reforms …
More Essential Freshwater Reforms: Freshwater Farm Plans Read More »
The Government has proposed changes to the low slope map in the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020 (Stock Exclusion Regulations). These regulations form part of the Government’s Essential Freshwater reforms, which are intended to achieve the following objectives: halt further degradation of waterways; make material improvement in the health of waterways within five years; …
More Essential Freshwater Reforms: Stock Exclusion Regulations Read More »
The Government has released an ‘exposure draft’ of the National Built Environments Act (NBA), intended to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) which has, for many years, been held responsible by developers and environmentalists alike for failing to adequately and effectively manage our natural resources. The release of the exposure draft is a novel …
New Directions and New Name for Resource Management Read More »
The first major ruling under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 (“the Act”) was released by the High Court on Friday 7 May 2021, representing an important milestone for iwi claims to customary marine title and protected customary rights to the coastal marine area in New Zealand. The Act was brought into …
Precedent-setting case granting Customary Marine Title Read More »
Congratulations to Holland Beckett Law’s newest partner, James McDougall, who leads the Rotorua office. If you’ve gone off-track, legally speaking, you’ll need an invested local who knows their way round all the trails to get you out. James is just the man. He is an experienced litigator in Court and tribunals and advises clients on …
If you can’t see the Redwood for the trees, our new partner can. Read More »
A change to the Commerce Act makes cartel behaviour a criminal offence, with the risk of up to seven years’ imprisonment. What is a cartel and how can businesses avoid engaging in cartel behaviour, intentionally or accidentally (this includes small to medium businesses, not just those big corporates). For those unfamiliar, what is the definition of …
On 10 February 2021, Minister for the Environment, David Parker, announced that the Resource Management Act 1991 (“RMA”) will be repealed and replaced with three new Acts by the end of 2022. These are the: Natural and Built Environments Act; Strategic Planning Act; and Climate Change Adaptation Act. These new acts seek to improve the …
When a person makes a decision in relation to their personal or property rights, they are presumed to have capacity unless there are good reasons to suggest otherwise. A person’s decision does not have to be wise, so long as they understand the nature and consequences of that decision. But, what do legal practitioners have …
