Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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Choosing the right executor is crucial to a smooth estate administration. Learn what to consider and how McVeagh Fleming’s estate planning team can guide you.
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Wills – Choosing the right executor

Choosing the right executor is one of the most important decisions you will make when preparing your Will. The person you appoint can significantly influence how smoothly the estate administration process unfolds. Who you choose truly shapes the course of the administration and the experience for your loved ones.
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With the 5 April 2026 deadline approaching, many sports clubs risk dissolution if they haven’t re-registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
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With weeks to go, sports clubs risk losing their incorporated status

With less than three months remaining before the 5 April 2026 deadline, growing concern is emerging that many sports clubs and community organisations across New Zealand may be unintentionally heading towards dissolution.
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Learn what a section 72 notice on your property title means, how it affects insurance, lending, and development, and when it can be removed.
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Understanding section 72 notices on your property title

When reviewing a property title, you may notice a reference to Section 72 of the Building Act 2004, or in some cases, its predecessor under the Building Act 1991. While it can look like a routine technical notation, a Section 72 notice is anything but minor. It signals that the land is affected by a known natural hazard and can have far-reaching consequences for property owners, buyers, developers, lenders, and insurers alike.
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The Employment Relations Amendment Bill has passed. Learn what the 2026 reforms mean for employers and employees and how to prepare.
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Employment Relations Amendment Bill passes: 2026 reforms explained

The Government’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill 2025 has passed its third reading on 17 February 2026, marking the most significant shift in New Zealand’s employment law settings since 2018. Most of the changes will take effect the following day after the Bill receives the Royal Assent (expected imminently).
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KiwiSaver contributions rise from April 2026. Understand the impact on payroll, minimum wage compliance, and employee take-home pay.
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KiwiSaver contribution increases from April 2026 – What employers and employees need to know

New Zealand’s KiwiSaver scheme is set for a significant adjustment on 1 April 2026, with compulsory contribution rates for both employers and employees rising from 3% to 3.5%. This change forms part of the government’s staged plan to strengthen retirement savings, with a further increase to 4% scheduled for 1 April 2028.
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Clear, practical legal advice for individuals, families and businesses across Auckland. Property, family, estates, commercial, employment, immigration.
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A new year. Legal clarity you can rely on

The start of a new year is a natural time to reflect, reset, and plan ahead. For individuals, families, and businesses alike, clarity brings confidence. At McVeagh Fleming, our role is to provide that clarity through practical, considered legal advice that supports you at every stage of life and business.
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Not married but living as a couple? Learn when a de facto relationship exists under NZ law and how the Property (Relationships) Act may affect you.
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Am I in a De Facto Relationship?

Do you live with your significant other? Have you acquired any property together? Are you financially dependent on one another? While marriage might not be on the cards for the two of you, you may already be in a "de facto relationship" in the eyes of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the PRA).
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If your name isn’t on your home’s title, you may still have rights. Learn how a Section 42 notice can help protect your interest under the PRA.
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Your name isn’t on the house title, what can you do?

If you live in a home with your partner but your name isn’t on the property title, you may still have legal rights. If the relationship breaks down or your partner tries to sell, this can leave you feeling worried or powerless. Learn what options you have.
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Learn how to manage Christmas and end-of-year closedowns under the Holidays Act 2003, including payroll rules, leave entitlements, public holidays, and complian
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Managing closedown periods under the Holidays Act – a guide for employers

With the holiday season approaching, many businesses are planning a closedown period. This guide explains what employers must do to stay compliant with the Holidays Act 2003.
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Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 brings major zoning and hazard-management changes. Learn how PC120 affects property value, development potential, and risk.
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PC120: What homeowners, buyers and developers need to know

Auckland Council has notified Plan Change 120 ("PC120"), a significant update to the Auckland Unitary Plan aimed at delivering housing intensification while improving resilience to natural hazards. Submissions are open until 19 December 2025, and the implications for property buyers, owners, and developers are substantial. Learn what homeowners, buyers, and developers need to know.
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INZ now requires employers to complete manual Job Checks for AEWV transfers during business sales or restructures, with no fees or advertising required.
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New process for AEWV holders affected by business sales and restructures

Immigration New Zealand has introduced a temporary manual process for transferring Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders when a business is sold or restructured. Employers must now complete a manual Job Check application for each affected worker. This change may cause operational disruption and potential delays in work rights. AEWV holders are also affected, as their visa records will not update correctly unless employers complete the process.
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The Disputes Tribunal’s claim limit doubles to $60,000 in 2026 — find out what this means for individuals, tradespeople, and small businesses.
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What the new $60,000 Disputes Tribunal limit means for you

From 24 January 2026, the Disputes Tribunal will be able to hear claims of up to $60,000, which is double its previous limit. This change, introduced under the Disputes Tribunal Amendment Act 2025, means many more disputes can now be resolved quickly and affordably, without the need to go to court.
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The risks of providing a guarantee

The risks of providing a guarantee

Written by:
Hamish Coupe
Shannon Lawrence
Providing a guarantee for someone else’s financial commitments can expose you to serious legal and financial risks. Before agreeing, ensure you understand the potential consequences - especially if you won’t directly benefit or lack full visibility and control over the obligation.
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Active Investor Plus Visa – Announced changes

Active Investor Plus Visa – Announced changes

Written by:
Arran Hunt
On 9 February 2025, the Prime Minister announced changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa (AIPV) category, a visa type created to attract wealthy migrants to consider moving to New Zealand. Such visas have existed since at least 2010, but the government has seen the need to change it.
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Deck the halls, not the paperwork: Legal help for holiday travel

Deck the halls, not the paperwork: Legal help for holiday travel

If you're traveling to New Zealand to visit loved ones this holiday season and need a visa, consider engaging a lawyer to avoid delays or complications. Many travelers rely on third-party agencies for their applications, but this often leads to costly mistakes. To help you navigate the process smoothly, we’ve prepared a guide to ensure everything is handled correctly from the start.
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Seventh Edition Deed of Lease: Key updates

Seventh Edition Deed of Lease: Key updates

Written by:
Brandon Cullen
Shannon Lawrence
If you work in the commercial property sector - involving retail shops, office buildings, industrial facilities, or hospitality venues - you’ll want to know about the latest updates to the ADLS Deed of Lease ('DOL'). Released on 27 November 2024, the Seventh Edition introduces significant changes to reflect the evolving commercial landscape of the past decade.
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How do you get divorced in New Zealand?

How do you get divorced in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, to legally end your marriage or civil union (divorce), you must apply to the Family Court for a Dissolution Order. Until a final order dissolving a marriage or civil union has taken effect, parties to a marriage or civil union cannot enter into another marriage or civil union.
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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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