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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Boat purchase 101 - Sale and Purchase Agreements

Boat purchase 101 - Sale and Purchase Agreements

Written by:
Forrester Grant
Well-drafted agreements for vessel sales are important, especially for larger, technical vessels. While smaller vessel buyers may see these as unnecessary, written contracts simplify legal disputes. Agreements range from basic contracts to detailed forms like the Norwegian Saleform and should clearly outline terms, transaction processes, and dispute procedures, with common provisions as a standard foundation.
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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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