News & Resources
2019
National Policy Statement on Urban Development
The month of August has seen a flurry of activity coming from the Ministry for the Environment, with its proposed National Policy Statement (NPS) on Urban Development being released hot on the heels of the proposed NPS for Highly Productive Land.
Accessing Legal Aid
If you do not have the means to pay privately for a lawyer you may qualify for legal aid.
Comprehensive overhaul of Resource Management Act underway
The Government launched yesterday its overhaul of the Resource Management Act 1991 which, as described by Hon David Parker, “takes too long, costs too much and has not protected the environment”.
Productivity Commission inquiry: Local government funding and financing
The Productivity Commission, an independent Crown entity, has released its draft report on local government funding and financing
Trade Better - What Mainzeal means for Directors
One of the major risks of being a director is the liability you face if the company fails. Thanks to a new decision from the High Court, this risk has just become a lot higher.
Family Dispute Resolution for non-urgent parenting disputes
Family Dispute Resolution (“FDR”) is a mediation service, designed to help separated couples and their families resolve disagreements regarding care of children.
Changing the Trustees of your Trust
There is currently a Bill before Parliament that will amend many aspects of Trust Law contained in the Trustee Act of 1956. In anticipation of the overhaul of Trust Law it is a good time to consider whether the current trustees of your Trust are still the best people for the role.
Where there's a Will there's a way
This article talks about the main ways that Wills are challenged in the Courts.
National Planning Standards
The first set of National Planning Standards came into force on Friday 3 May 2019.
Employment Law Changes - What this means for 2019
On 5 December 2018 the Employment Relations Act Amendment Bill was passed, bringing changes to employment law in New Zealand. While the majority of these changes will come into effect on 6 May 2019, some of the changes are already in force following the Bill being given Royal assent on 12 December 2018. The Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Act 2018 also comes into effect on 1 April 2019.
What is the "bed" of a braided river?
The High Court decision Dewhirst Land Company Ltd v Canterbury Regional Council [2018] NZHC 3338 concerned the correct interpretation of the term “bed” in relation to a river under s2 of the Resource Management Act (RMA). Determining the river bed was “more contentious” in this case because it concerned the Selwyn River, which was a braided river, therefore identifying its banks was more difficult.