Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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Covid vaccines for children is a complex issue with health, culture, separated parents, and other factors. Who makes the decision? Ask an Auckland family lawyer
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To Vaccinate or Not: Parental Decisions About Paediatric Covid-19 Vaccination

Parents have the mutual goal of wanting the best for their child. Naturally, there are disagreements as to what "the best" means. A notably difficult decision has arisen in recent years for parents about whether or not their child is going to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. This is a guardianship issue in family law.
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The Green List - NZ's post-Covid overseas staffing options. Can you hire offshore labour for your business? Auckland immigration lawyer gives the answer here.
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The New Zealand immigration Green List - green for go?

In 2020, while the entire world was distressed about Covid-19 and borders were closing, Immigration New Zealand ("INZ") decided to close the tap on skilled migration. A decision was made to suspend the selection of expressions of interest (also known as EOI). The selections normally occurred on a fortnightly basis and would result in a selected candidate receiving an Invitation to Apply for Residence under the Skilled Migrant Category. The suspension remains in place at the time of this article.
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Employers have big problems with staffing. Labour shortages and retention are big issues. An Auckland employment lawyer ahs tips on how to achieve both. Click
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The Great Resignation

You will likely have heard the term "The Great Resignation". Over the last few months we have had a number of clients approach us for ideas and wanting to know how they can set their organisation apart from others in order to retain staff.
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Small Business Contracts and Unfair Terms - It's Time to Review Your Contracts!
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Small Business Contracts and Unfair Terms - It's Time to Review Your Contracts!

The Fair Trading Amendment Act 2021 ("Amendment Act") has made recent amendments of the Fair Trading Act 1986 with some terms being extended to small business contracts that will come into force on 16 August 2022.
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Do you need skilled staff from overseas? A new Accredited Employer Work Visa may help. We are holding a seminar on June 14 to explain more. Click here.
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Accredited Employer Work Visa - the new visa and what you need to know

Significant changes are coming to the immigration sector in New Zealand, which will have major repercussions on employers who are intending to hire migrants to work in New Zealand. The Accredited Employer Work Visa ("AEWV") is a new temporary work visa being introduced on 4 July 2022. This new visa is one step in the Government's five step plan for reconnecting New Zealand to the world after the Covid-19 pandemic.
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An employer with any number of staff can use a Probationary Period to assess people. You must meet specific criteria to avoid breaking the law. Find out here.
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Probationary Periods

Should we include a probationary period in the employment agreement? As per our previous article, "90 Day Trial Periods", if you have 20 or more employees you cannot include a trial period in an employment agreement, as an alternative, many employers choose to include a probationary period.
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90-Day Trial Periods are for SMEs. They seem simple but there is complexity within the Act. It is easier to break the law than you might think. Click here.
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90 Day Trial Periods

Should we include a trial period in the employment agreement? A trial period is a tool that can be used by employers to find out if an employee is suitable for a role. During the trial period, an employer can dismiss the employee and the employee cannot raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal, so long as the trial period is valid. Trial periods if used correctly, are a great tool for employers. However, trial periods are often challenged, so it is essential employers know when to use them and what is required.
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The Fair Pay Agreement Bill will have far-reaching effects on employers and staff across some industry groups. Find out if your sector is affected. Click here.
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The Fair Pay Agreements Bill - What to Expect

On 29 March 2022, Parliament introduced the Fair Pay Agreement Bill ("the Bill") coined to the "biggest shakeup to workplaces in generation coming from government". The Bill has recently passed its first reading. Despite this, a number of people have expressed their reservations with the newly proposed system such as National Party's Paul Goldsmith stating that the Bill may make New Zealand less internationally competitive and add pressure to already stressed businesses.
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As Covid levels and restrictions change, some ongoing issues for employers managing staff and the workplace in general - Auckland employment lawyer. Click here
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Managing the Workplace in the Face of Covid-19

New Zealand is now well and truly in the next stage of its strategy in responding to the Covid-19 global pandemic - learning to live with Covid-19, specifically the Omicron variant, in the community. This will see employers facing a number of new challenges, including the management of large numbers of absences in the workplace and coping with flexible working arrangements.
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The proposed Income Insurance Scheme will have effects for employees and employers. See how you might be affected - Auckland employment lawyer. Click here
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The Proposed Income Insurance Scheme

Last week the New Zealand Government, supported by Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions ("NZCTU"), released a proposal on an income insurance scheme ("the scheme") – one of its biggest reforms since the introduction of ACC in the 1970s. McVeagh Fleming's employment team have summarised the 'need to know' information.
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The Fair Trading Act was been reformed to affect standard form consumer, and small contracts, less than $250k. Do your contracts comply? Click here for details
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Amendments to the Fair Trading Act for Small Trade Contracts

The Fair Trading Amendment Act 2021 - The Fair Trading Amendment Act 2021 ("Amendment Act") was enacted on 16 August 2021. It introduces changes to the Fair Trading Act 1986 ("Act"), some of which have come into effect and others which will come into effect on 16 August 2022.
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Intellectual Property can be a big asset for your business. How do you protect your commercial IP from theft? Click here or call 09 377 9966 for more details.
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Capture and Commercialise - Commercial Exploitation of Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property is an asset that has the potential to be more valuable to your business than tangible business assets and should be protected as much as possible. A famous trade mark or a market leading patent may be of far greater value to a company than its physical assets.
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My Ex is hiding assets from me, what can I do?

My Ex is hiding assets from me, what can I do?

Written by:
Vinnie Kumar
Niamh Forgie
At the end of a relationship, both parties must fully disclose their assets and liabilities to divide their property fairly. If one party withholds information, reaching a fair agreement becomes difficult, and any agreement made could be challenged and possibly overturned later.
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Restructures

Restructures

Whether you're an employer seeking compliance or an employee seeking clarity, this article offers invaluable insights to navigate the process effectively.
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Exceptions to equal sharing of relationship property

Exceptions to equal sharing of relationship property

Written by:
Peter Fuscic
Niamh Forgie
Upon separation, it's usually assumed that relationship property will be divided equally unless there's a prenuptial or premarital agreement. However, if there are special circumstances where equal division isn't fair, the court might order a different division to ensure fairness and justice.
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Winding up your Family Trust

Winding up your Family Trust

Written by:
Brandon Cullen
With recent changes in tax regulations, increased compliance obligations, and rising administrative costs, what used to be relatively simple is suddenly complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Is it time to simplify your life and wind the damn thing up?
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Beyond Paper: the Power of Implied Agreements

Beyond Paper: the Power of Implied Agreements

Written by:
Fulton Ryan
In business, contracts are the backbone of agreements, ensuring clarity and accountability. But what happens when a contract isn't written down? The case of Kingsbeer Transport Ltd v Martin Brower New Zealand sheds light on this question, revealing important insights for business owners.
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Holding Overseas Manufacturers Accountable

Holding Overseas Manufacturers Accountable

This article explores a legal case heard by the New Zealand Court of Appeal, specifically regarding a dispute involving the supply of a building cladding product. The case involved two building owners who initiated legal proceedings against the German-based manufacturer and New Zealand-based distributors. The building owners alleged that the product was faulty and posed risks to their buildings, leading to potential loss and expense.
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Accredited Employer Work Visa – New business issues, and the application of compliance for all

Accredited Employer Work Visa – New business issues, and the application of compliance for all

Written by:
Arran Hunt
There is little doubt that the introduction of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) by the previous government has caused some issues. While the stated intention was to protect migrants from exploitation, the opposite would appear to be the outcome. The media has been filled with stories of migrants exploited, mostly by larger companies, with unscrupulous agents taking payment for jobs, and employers claiming no involvement, yet unable to comply with their obligations. All the while, migrants remain with little hope, savings often spent on a future that never arrived.
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Construction contract disputes

Construction contract disputes

Written by:
Fulton Ryan
This article provides a practical example of the complexities involved in construction-related legal matters, such as payment disputes, contract interpretation, and the importance of adhering to legal requirements in construction contracts.
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Can bad behaviour cost you during divorce or separation?

Can bad behaviour cost you during divorce or separation?

Written by:
Julia Warrington
When sorting out the monetary side of separation, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 ("the Act") sets out how property is to be divided for relationships that qualify. It generally aims to divide property (the assets and liabilities including houses, cars, superannuation, mortgage loans etc.) in a way that is “fair”. This means the starting point is that property is divided equally. However, there are some exceptions.
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Legislative gap leaves New Zealand exposed to deepfakes

Legislative gap leaves New Zealand exposed to deepfakes

Written by:
Diana Clement
Legislative gap leaves New Zealand exposed to deepfakes. The march of technology means almost anyone can create deepfakes, often in a matter of minutes.
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