Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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Buying or selling a house in Auckland? McVeagh Fleming’s property lawyers make your transaction smooth, secure, and stress-free. Get expert guidance today.
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Buying or selling a house in Auckland? Why the right lawyer matters

Buying or selling a residential property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, upgrading, or selling an investment property, having a trusted Auckland property lawyer by your side can make the process smoother, faster, and less stressful. At McVeagh Fleming, our team of residential property lawyers guide clients through every step of the buying and selling journey.
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NZ permits wealthy foreign investors to buy $5M+ homes via Active Investor Plus visa, boosting investment without affecting housing affordability.
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NZ eases foreign buyer ban for high-value home investors

New Zealand is opening the door to wealthy investors in a controlled way, with the goal of allowing them to bring significant capital into the country’s economy without affecting the broader housing market. This targeted move signals the government’s focus on attracting international investment while keeping residential property accessible for local buyers.
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Ashley’s Law, coming into effect October 2025, will allow victims of family violence in NZ to obtain faster divorces from their abusers. By Vaishnavi Thayaparan
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Ashley’s Law: Overdue justice for victims of family violence

Ashley’s Law, coming into effect in October 2025, will allow victims of family violence in New Zealand to obtain faster divorces from their abusers. Named after Ashley Jones, whose case exposed serious flaws in the system, the law represents a major step toward protecting victims and reducing re-traumatisation.
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New law against pay secrecy. Parliament passed a new law that purports to promote pay transparency by protecting employees who discuss their own remuneration.
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New law against pay secrecy

On 20 August 2025, Parliament passed a new law that purports to promote pay transparency by protecting employees who discuss their own remuneration (which may or may not involve disclosing their own remuneration) or enquire into the remuneration of another employee, with the goal of helping detect and address pay inequities - particularly relating to gender, Māori, and Pasifika pay gaps.
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If your business employs migrant workers, stay compliant with employment law. A single breach, even if unintentional, can trigger formal enforcement: stand-down
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How employers can avoid the immigration stand-down list

If your business employs migrant workers, staying compliant with employment law is critical. A single breach, even if unintentional, can trigger formal enforcement action that places you on Immigration New Zealand’s public “stand-down list.” Once there, you lose the ability to hire or sponsor migrant workers for months or even years. For accredited employers, that can mean stalled recruitment, unfilled roles, and serious disruption to business operations.
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Easements or covenants blocking land use | McVeagh Fleming article for property developers, investors, and landowners. Land restrictions getting in the way.
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Outdated easements vs modern land use

For property developers, investors, and landowners in New Zealand, old easements or covenants can be more than just lines on a title - they can be roadblocks to progress. Recent court decisions under the Property Law Act 2007 are reshaping how and when these changes can be made, making it essential to understand the rules before you buy, build, or plan your next project.
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Auckland, New Zealand Lawyers. Legal support without borders. McVeagh Fleming Lawyers' global network connection to international law firms through Ally Law.
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Legal support without borders

Whether you're expanding internationally, navigating regulatory obligations, managing global teams, or dealing with cross-border transactions and disputes, trusted legal support with strong global connections gives your business a real advantage.
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Auckland Litigation Lawyer | High Court clarifies limits on early sale of restrained multi-million-dollar home in St Heliers, Auckland.
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High Court clarifies limits on early sale of restrained property

What happens when a multi-million-dollar home in St Heliers, Auckland, is frozen due to an overseas criminal investigation – and a government-appointed officer tries to sell it before the case is decided?
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Building reports in property transactions. In New Zealand property transactions, building reports play a crucial role in the due diligence process. Lawyer.
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Building reports in property transactions

In New Zealand property transactions, building reports play a crucial role in the due diligence process, giving buyers a clearer understanding of a property's true condition before committing to a purchase, helping to uncover hidden issues, informing negotiations, and providing peace of mind. However, if misunderstood or misused, they can also complicate a deal.
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Learn how NZ’s new 5-year Parent Boost Visitor Visa works, who’s eligible, what it costs, and what migrant families need to know before applying.
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Parent Boost Visa: What It Means for Migrant Families

New Zealand’s 5-year Parent Boost Visitor Visa allows parents and grandparents of citizens or residents to stay longer with family. Learn about eligibility, financial and health requirements, costs, and what to expect before applying.
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Demystifying NZ cross leases: Understand shared property ownership, potential complications, and explore whether converting your cross lease to freehold.
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Understanding cross lease properties: Should you convert?

Ever wondered what the term “cross lease” really means—and whether converting to freehold is worth it? Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, make changes to your property, or convert your cross lease title to freehold, it’s important to understand what this form of property ownership really means — and what your options are.
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Learn how to navigate access issues for drainage and stormwater works across neighbouring land. Practical advice for developers and property owners.
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Accessing neighbouring land for drainage works

New housing developments often require access through neighbouring private property to install drainage or stormwater infrastructure. This can present challenges for both developers and affected property owners. This article provides practical advice on how to address this situation from both respective positions.
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6 tips for Partnership Visa Applications

6 tips for Partnership Visa Applications

The financial and emotional costs associated with visa applications make the stakes high. So, to help you navigate the process, we’ve compiled our top six tips for applying for partnership-based visas.
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Immigration changes to help those buying a business

Immigration changes to help those buying a business

Written by:
Arran Hunt
In a welcome move for business owners, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has revised its policies to make it easier for those buying businesses to keep their existing workforce. From 6 November 2024, this change will streamline the process for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders, reducing delays and red tape that previously made it difficult for new business owners to retain valued migrant staff.
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A Donkey, an Elephant, or New Zealand

A Donkey, an Elephant, or New Zealand

Written by:
Arran Hunt
There is no doubt that 5 November 2024 will lead to someone being appointed as the most powerful person in the world. While we won't be trying to assume who will win, we do know that, on that day, about half of the population in the USA is likely to be disappointed with the result. That is why we wanted to raise a third option. We'll cover a few differences that people may experience by moving to New Zealand, as well as some of the immigration options that may be open to you.
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I was excluded from a Will, what can I do?

I was excluded from a Will, what can I do?

If one of your loved ones has left you out of their Will or you believe that their Will is unfair or their Will did not adequately provide for you, you may be able to make a claim under the Family Protection Act 1955 (the FPA) against their estate.
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Land covenants: the ability to amend to reflect modern developments

Land covenants: the ability to amend to reflect modern developments

This article explores the legal principles surrounding land covenants, focusing on a case where a developer sought to modify a land covenant that restricted the number of dwellings on their property. The Court ultimately agreed to modify the covenant, determining that no substantial injury would result to neighboring property owners and the change reflected modern development demands.
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Occupation rent after separation

Occupation rent after separation

Occupation rent is a legal mechanism that can come into play when a couple separates, and one person continues living in the family home while the other moves out. It is designed to ensure fairness, especially if the remaining party benefits from sole access to the home.
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What's hiding in the Terms of Trade? A Customer Perspective on GSAs

What's hiding in the Terms of Trade? A Customer Perspective on GSAs

Written by:
Hamish Coupe
When entering relationships with new suppliers, it’s essential to carefully review the terms of trade, especially if they include a General Security Agreement (GSA). While a GSA can offer credit benefits, it also carries significant risks, potentially leading to receivership if payment issues arise. Understanding these terms is crucial to protecting your business.
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Employee v Contractor Status Disputes – A New Law But Old Problems?

Employee v Contractor Status Disputes – A New Law But Old Problems?

The government has announced its plan to amend the Employment Relations Act 2000 by introducing a new legislative test that aims to prevent workers from challenging their status as an independent contractors and claiming that they are employees.
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Navigating mental capacity loss without Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA): What you need to know

Navigating mental capacity loss without Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA): What you need to know

Many people assume their family will automatically be able to make decisions for them if they lose mental capacity, but without Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) in place, that’s not the case. If you lose mental capacity without an EPA, decisions regarding your personal welfare or property must go through the Family Court.
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Legal due diligence when purchasing a boat

Legal due diligence when purchasing a boat

Written by:
Forrester Grant
When purchasing a boat, legal due diligence is crucial to ensure a smooth transaction and avoid potential pitfalls. This process primarily focuses on confirming that the seller has clear legal ownership of the vessel and that there are no hidden charges, such as mortgages or liens, which could surface after the purchase. In this article, we outline the key legal considerations to help buyers safeguard their investment.
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