Resource Management Amendment Bill – Environment Committee Report The Resource Management Amendment Bill was introduced to the House of Representatives on 23 September 2019, and the period for lodging written submissions closed on 7 November 2019. Following the presentation of oral submissions, the Environment Committee has now provided its final report to the House and …
The commercial and economic disruption caused by COVID-19 is now being felt by all New Zealanders. The impact is likely to increase, both in New Zealand and around the world. With the New Zealand Government’s announcement of Alert Level 4, there are many challenges and unknowns ahead as we move into this unprecedented time. In …
Some Initial Reflections On 3 April 2020, Minister of Finance Grant Robertson announced a slate of proposed changes to the Companies Act 1993 (the Act) to protect companies affected by the Covid-19 related Lockdown (the Lockdown). These proposals, which will be the subject of new legislation to be passed once Parliament resumes sitting, are aimed …
Wage Subsidy Scheme – Employer ‘top ups’ Prior to 27 March 2020, employers receiving the wage subsidy were required to undertake that they: Will use best endeavours to retain the relevant employees in employment; and Will use best endeavours to top up their relevant employees’ pay to 80% of their normal income. From 4pm on …
These FAQs are based on the current Government and Ministry of Health Guidelines correct as of 30 March 2020. Due to the fluid situation with COVID-19, these FAQs are designed to be a general guide, and employers should take specific legal advice. 1. Do I have to pay employees during the alert level 4 period? The …
COVID-19- Key Considerations for Employers during Alert Level 4? Read More »
The health, safety and wellbeing of our team, communities and clients is of the highest concern to Holland Beckett. Consequently, we take very seriously the guidelines and policies put into place by the Ministry of Health and Government, whilst at the same time trying to be flexible and responsive to the needs of all our …
On 28 February 2020, New Zealand confirmed its first case of Coronavirus (COVID-19), and the number of confirmed cases continues to increase. At the time of writing New Zealand currently has 11 confirmed cases. After a 13-fold increase in COVID-19 in the past two weeks, the World Health Organisation have labelled the outbreak a “pandemic”. …
The Fire and Emergency Act 2017 (“Act”) and the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire Safety Evacuation Procedures and Evacuation Schemes) Regulations 2018 (“Regulations”) place legal obligations on building owners to implement fire safety precautions. This article focuses on fire evacuation procedures and schemes. A building owner’s obligations can vary depending on the design, use …
Calling building owners – your obligations under the Fire and Emergency Act 2017 Read More »
Congratulations to the Stingrays who took out the Holland Beckett Law sponsored Women’s event at Water Polo on the Waterfront earlier this month. Partner John Mackay was on hand to present the team with their well-earned trophy. Click here to watch the official highlights video.
持久授权书 我们中的许多人都考虑过为死后做准备。但是，如果您失去自己做决定或妥善照顾自己的能力，会发生什么？拥有持久授权书 (EPA) 可以确保其他人能够介入并代表您在财产，个人医疗和福利方面行事。 什么是持久授权书？ 持久授权书赋予您指任的授权人（例如家人或朋友）代理您做决定的能力。您的授权人必须以您的最佳利益行事，并尽可能地让您参与决策。 EPA 有两种类型： 1. 财产：您在EPA 中指定的授权人（或多名授权人）可以代理您管理资产和财务。您可以指定一名以上的授权人并指认他们是否必须共同行事或单独行事。您还可以选择EPA 立即生效，还是仅在您不再具备心智能力时生效。 2. 个人医疗和福利：您可以指任授权人在您的个人医疗和福利方面做出决定，例如确保您有适当的生活护理和医疗安排。 EPA 仅在医生证明您不再具有心智能力时才生效。 对于两种类型的持久授权书，如果您指定的第一位授权人无法履行职责，您可以指定继任授权人行事。您还可以要求您的授权人咨询您在EPA 中指定的其他人或向其提供信息。 家庭法院负责监督与 EPA 相关的事务，并审查您的授权人为您行使 EPA 时做出的任何决定。 如果我没有 EPA 怎么办？ 如果您失去了自己做决定的能力，或许再也无法管理自己的事务。比如说您可能无法出售房屋、管理银行账户或做出有关健康，生活安排或相关医疗护理的重要决定。 如果发生这种情况的时候，再签署 EPA 已为时已晚。只能由其他人，例如亲戚、社会工作者或医生，向家庭法院申请一名指定人为您做决策（我们称其为福利监护人和财产管理人）。与 EPA 下的授权人不同，福利监护人或财产经理必须至少每 3 年向家庭法院申请审核他们的任命权。 因此，建立 EPA 可以帮您的家人减少申请家庭法院授权的一系列费用并减轻压力。 我如何获得 EPA？ 仔细考虑您想任命的授权人（或多名授权人），以及是否希望有其他人监督您的授权人。最重要的是您要任命一位您信任，会理解并尊重您意愿的，也会为您做重要决定的人。 然后，您需要联系律师或其他有权限的人来帮助您创建 EPA。您可以通过联系lawyers@hobec.co.nz或 致电07 578 2199 来Holland Beckett Law 寻求帮助。
