Latest updates

3 June 2026

Commercial eSpeaking - Winter 2026

In the Winter 2026 issue of our commercial law newsletter, Commercial eSpeaking: Budget 2026 - Securing New Zealand's Future says the Minister of Finance; Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill - Expected to be enacted in the spring; Business Briefs: Commerce Commission - unconscionable conduct; Overseas Investment Act 2005 reform; New obligations for businesses collecting personal information from third parties; Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 - key changes.

13 April 2026

Fineprint - Autumn 2026

In the Autumn 2026 issue of Fineprint: Trustee decision-making; Cleared for takeoff - using your drone the right way; Navigating redundancy - understanding the legal process for employers; New Zealand Superannuation beneficiaries - Overseas travel; Contacting the Office of the Privacy Commissioner; Resource Management Act 1991 overhaul.

16 February 2026

RMA Speaking - Summer 2026

A special newsletter which summarises the New Zealand government's proposed change to the Resource Management Act 1991.

16 July 2025

Using AI in Business

AI is transforming the way businesses work—boosting efficiency, improving customer experiences, speeding up content creation, and providing better access to information. But while the benefits are significant, using AI also comes with legal risks that need to be carefully managed.

9 July 2025

Commercial eSpeaking - Autumn 2025

In the Autumn 2025 issue of Commercial eSpeaking: Budget 2025: Fiscally conservative?; Major changes ahead for New Zealand's financial landscape: Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill; Business Briefs: Misleading and deceptive conduct; Whakaari Management Limited conviction overturned; RMA to be replaced with two new acts.

4 February 2025

Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2025

Is the Summer 2025 issue of Commercial eSpeaking: Health & Safety: Successful prosecution of chief executive; Fair Pay Agreements Repeal Act 2023; Business briefs: Commerce Act 1986 and Commerce Commission review; Reform of overseas investment laws to boost economic growth; Tax changes for charities.

7 October 2024

Commercial eSpeaking - Spring 2024

In the Spring 2024 issue of Commercial eSpeaking: Voidable transactions: Liquidator can claw back payments; Embracing Tikanga Māori in your commercial contracts: Seeking ways to respect and incorporate differences into business practices; Business briefs: Companies Act reforms announced – Siouxsie Wiles employment decision – New bill to improve consumer data rights – Changes to insurance industry coming – Uber appeal dismissed: drivers are employees.

5 August 2024

Capital Letter - NZ firm seconds third lawyer to Cook Islands

Geoff Adlum discusses Norris Ward McKinnon's Cook Islands secondment programme in the latest issue of Capital Letter.

17 June 2024

Commercial eSpeaking - Winter 2024

In the Winter 2024 issue of Commercial eSpeaking: The Budget: A no-frills outlook; Can losses be recovered from a faulty building? Design professionals can rely on limited liability clauses; Business briefs: Five companies sentenced over Whakaari/White Island eruption; Navigating financial distress; Commerce Commission win over Viagogo – CCCFA update

9 April 2024

Fineprint - Autumn 2024

In the Autumn 2024 edition of Fineprint: Invoices not being paid on time? A steer for debtors and creditors; Personal grievances: Employers must act in good faith; Receiving an inheritance during your relationship; Do I still need a trust?; Postscript: Incorporated societies: must register by April 2026 – Minimum wage increases – Before you dig.

15 February 2024

Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2024

Inside the Summer 2024 issue of Commercial eSpeaking: Trial periods vs. probation periods: Both are useful for employers; Whakaari/White Island eruption - Health & Safety Lessons; Business briefs: Cartel conduct: New Zealand's first ever criminal cartel prosecution; Privacy proposals for biometrics; New reporting obligations for large businesses.

12 December 2023

Incorporated Societies - key changes

The law governing incorporated societies in New Zealand has undergone some key changes. We outline the changes, and what incorporated societies need to do.

28 September 2023

Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act 2023: Are you prepared?

To provide an update on our last article, the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Bill received royal assent in April 2023 (now known as the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act 2023 (Act)) and will come into effect on 5 October 2023. The Act seeks to clarify how retention money is managed under the current retention money regime set out in the Construction Contracts Act 2022.

14 September 2023

Who owns 'Up the Wahs'?

‘Up the Wahs’ has been sweeping the nation as the Warriors have had one of their most successful seasons in over a decade. But ownership of the phrase was called into question when the Warriors applied to register it as a trade mark, only to find craft beer brewing company Good George had beaten them to it.

15 June 2023

Building in an Economic Downturn

Building companies collapsing during economic downturns is nothing new in New Zealand. It seems the rate of collapse can often be an economic indicator in and of itself. If you are in the market to engage a builder or construction company, we list some of the things to think about when signing up for work to be undertaken.

8 June 2023

Benefits of registering a trademark

A trade mark is a great way to distinguish your business from your competitors. It acts as a “badge of origin”, enabling consumers to identify your products or services in the marketplace. This short article discusses the benefits are registering a trademark.

11 May 2023

Construction Contracts Act 2002 – Payment Claims and Payment Schedules

The Construction Contracts Act 2002 governs the payment claim process between parties to construction contracts in New Zealand. This article discusses how the process works for both contractors and principals.

20 April 2023

Fineprint - Autumn 2023

In the Autumn 2023 issue of Fineprint, our general law newsletter:

• Keeping your employees during the ‘big quit’: Retention tools and some risks;
• Guest editorial – Having a cyber resilient business. Jan Thornborough, founder of Intelligensia;
• Bank of children: Children helping their parents;
• Driving on a limited licence: Can be done, but strict conditions apply;
• Postscript: Minimum wage increased on 1 April 2023 – Improving the sustainability of your supply chain.

14 March 2023

Bright-line test and lifestyle blocks

Lifestyle block owners … are you selling? Do you need guidance on the definition of residential land for the purposes of the bright-line test?

21 February 2023

Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2023

Inside the Summer 2023 edition of Commercial eSpeaking:

• Letter of intent: Useful but can present problems;
• What is the PPSR? Gives protection when leasing or selling goods;
• Business briefs: Employment Court rules four Uber drivers are employees; Facial recognition and the Privacy Act: balancing security and individual rights; Cartel conduct: Commerce Commission warns eight freight forwarding companies.

12 December 2022

Rural eSpeaking - Summer 2022

In the Summer 2022 of Rural eSpeaking, our rural law newsletter:

• Trusts and succession: Trustee duties in farm succession planning
• Protecting productive land: New policy statement – NPS-HPL
• Over the fence: Increase in Recognised Seasonal Employer visas; Updates to intensive winter grazing requirements; Proposed changes to the dairy and cattle code of welfare

13 November 2022

Commerce Commission warns freight forwarding companies

The Commerce Commission recently warned eight international freight forwarding companies for likely entering into cartel arrangements with Mondiale Freight Services Limited and Oceanbridge Shipping Limited between 2014 and 2018.

25 July 2022

Fineprint - Winter 2022

Inside the Winter 2022 edition of Fineprint:

• Creditor compromise regime: Another option in insolvency;
• Guest editorial from the ANZ: The economy - tougher times ahead?;
• Love, heartbreak and . . . death? Make a new will and EPAs when you separate;
• New Incorporated Societies Act 2022: Important changes and timeframes;
• Postscript: Fair Pay Agreements Bill - Scams: be vigilant - New whistleblowing legislation now in force

10 July 2022

Vendor Warranties - sale and purchase of Real Estate or a Business

When selling land or business, generally a vendor will give various warranties to a purchaser. These warranties are intended to provide a purchaser with promises that the vendor has made in respect of facts relating to a business or property, and these promises may have enticed a purchaser to enter into an agreement. There is an expectation that a purchaser can rely on these warranties and that the purchaser will get what they’ve paid for.

30 May 2022

Commercial eSpeaking - Winter 2022

Inside the Winter 2022 edition of Commercial eSpeaking: 2022 Budget: Commentary on the main points; Proposed Income Insurance Scheme: Would be compulsory for most Kiwis; Business briefs: Fair Pay Agreements Bill on the table - Proposed legislation to address modern slavery and worker exploitation - Incorporated societies: what next? - Next stage of vaping legislation coming into effect.

1 May 2022

Unfair Contract Regime extended to small business contracts – is your business ready?

Businesses have until 16 August 2022 to ensure they comply with the amendments to the Fair Trading Act (FTA). These changes extend the existing unfair contract terms (UCT) regime that currently applies to consumers, to standard form ‘small trade contracts’ in business-to-business relationships. It’s important that businesses understand the implications of these changes and review their practices.

13 April 2022

Mainzeal in the Supreme Court

Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd (Mainzeal) was one of New Zealand’s largest construction companies before it was placed in liquidation on 28 February 2013. Given its prominence as a high-profile New Zealand business, the presence of a former Prime Minister on its board and the implications for corporate governance in New Zealand, the various Mainzeal court proceedings have received considerable attention. They have also been important given the implications various courts’ decisions have for company directors.

27 February 2022

Trust eSpeaking - Autumn 2022

Inside the Autumn 2022 issue of Trust eSpeaking: Gift or loan? The importance of properly documenting advances between family members; Caring for Kiwis who cannot make decisions for themselves: Comparing with Britney Spears' conservatorship; Where there is a will, what is the way? A parent dies, but the child is unaware of the death.

16 February 2022

Incorporated Societies – The New Act is Coming – What Does It Say?

From 16 February 2022, the new Incorporated Societies Act will be in the final stages of becoming law and, depending on the Parliamentary schedule, could be in place sometime in February or March 2022.

How do the “rules” in the new Act differ from those in the current (1908)Incorporated Societies Act?

7 February 2022

Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2022

Inside the Summer 2022 edition of Commercial eSpeaking: Contractors: a veritable minefield of employment law; Grounding your jet-setters: The Covid dilemma of annual leave and holidaying offshore; Business briefs: Charges against Bunnings dismissed; directors found trading recklessly may face multiple fines; important upcoming leglislation drafted.

9 December 2021

Fineprint - Summer 2021

Inside the Summer 2021 issue of Fineprint: Defining a de facto relationship: not that straightforward when it comes to property; Lockdown rent relief: are there remedies?; Working from home: tax status of allowances; Digital Boost: a tool for small business; Waikato DHB cyber-attack: business owners must stay vigilant; Postscript: Looking after your wellbeing - Put Matariki 2022 into your calendar - Stay safe this summer.

17 October 2021

Unfair Contract Regime Extended to Small Business Contracts

Businesses have less than a year to ensure terms in their small business contracts and their trade practices comply with requirements in the Fair Trading Amendment Act 2021 (Amendment Act).

13 September 2021

Commercial eSpeaking - Spring 2021

Inside the Spring 2021 edition of Commercial eSpeaking: Bonding agreements: Helping employers recoup training costs; Lease vs licence: Common contractual arrangements in commercial property; Business briefs: Unfair contract terms regime extended – Many welcome new sick leave provisions – Changes to the retention money regime for construction contracts.

4 August 2021

Rural eSpeaking - Winter 2021

Inside the Winter 2021 issue of Rural eSpeaking: Significant
Natural Areas: What are they? Should I be concerned?; Buying or leasing Māori land: What does 'alienation' mean in this context?; Over the fence: Climate Change Commission: carbon farming - Dairy worker border exception process - What is a 'state of emergency'?

11 May 2021

Rural eSpeaking — Autumn 2021

Rural leases - Should be more specific; Trusts - Still fit for purpose for farm ownership and succession?; Over the fence: Privacy Act 2020 - affects rural sector too; New residential tenancy laws: implications for farm accommodation; National Environmental Standards for Freshwater Regulations 2020 - impacts on winter grazing.

15 April 2021

Tiny Homes? How to protect your position when it comes to entering in to a leasing arrangement

Whether you're looking to buy a tiny home for the purpose of renting, or buying as an affordable option to owning your own home, very few think about the placement of their tiny home once it's complete and how to protect themselves when it comes to a landlord/tenant type relationship.

16 February 2021

Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2021

Raising capital for your business; Having a puff at work; Business briefs: Covid relief key expiry for businesses in 2021; Toolkit for employing mature-age workers; Minimum wage increases on 1 April 2021; Government proposes sick leave increase; Working at Easter and ANZAC Day.

17 December 2020

The case for having Terms of Trade

A recent case in the High Court is a good reminder for why every business should have Terms of Trade.

26 November 2020

Fineprint - Summer 2020

Directorships mean significant obligations; Holiday houses; We're buying a house together; Building a fence in town.

16 August 2020

Rural eSpeaking - Winter-Spring 2020

Rural leases - more on COVID and access issues to land; National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020; Over the fence: Tougher firearms legislation now in force; Temporary work visas; New environmental legislation passed; Recommendation for the RMA be repealed.

24 June 2020

Property Speaking - Winter 2020

Commercial leases post-COVID - Clause 27.5 and inability to access premises; Residential tenancies post-COVID - some temporary changes; Property briefs: Healthy homes standards compliance; Commercial landlord alert - changes for non-payment of rent; Mortgages and loans for property owners.

28 May 2020

Commercial eSpeaking - Winter 2020

The Wellbeing Budget 2020: Rebuilding Together; Government's COVID-19 wage subsidy scheme - Not a 'gift', there are employer obligations; Business briefs: COVID-19 can be 'frustrating'; Debt recovery process; 'Safe harbour' for directors.

20 April 2020

Business Debt Hibernation

Following our recent article outlining the Government’s support packages for businesses, this article provides a short summary of how the Government’s proposed Business Debt Hibernation Scheme (Hibernation) is intended to work.

24 March 2020

How does COVID-19 affect your commercial lease?

Whether you are a landlord or tenant, the current situation is going to raise certain challenges for both parties in respect of their rights, obligations and liabilities under the lease of a commercial premises.

2 February 2020

Commercial eSpeaking - Summer 2020

Inside the Summer 2020 issue of Commercial eSpeaking: Shareholdings for employees or family members - rewarding value and increasing engagement; Restructuring your business - Consultation is key; Business briefs: Unfair business terms; Businesses should be cautious when sending commercial electronic messages; Manuka honey trade mark disputes.

19 June 2018

Thinking of subdividing your property? Considerations before you start.

With land prices at a premium and demand high, subdividing your land could be a great way to sell part of your property and use the money to repay debt or to invest. However, there are a number of considerations to make before jumping into the process feet first.

28 November 2019

Penalties and liquidated damages

Sometimes contracts include clauses which state that if a party to the contract fails to fulfil an obligation under the contract, then that party must pay an amount to the other party. Such clauses are unenforceable if they are seen as ‘penalty clauses’, which intend to punish a particular party to the contract.

17 October 2019

Is your business infringing someone else's intellectual property rights?

When starting a new business, there’s also one fundamental consideration which is often overlooked that can halt a new business. If your business infringes on another person’s intellectual property (such as a trade mark), you run the risk of having to re-brand and start from scratch, or potentially having to appear in court and pay damages to the other party for the infringement.