Insights & Articles

Interesting insights on various areas of New Zealand law for individuals and businesses alike.
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Auckland Immigration Lawyer - Supporting Licensed Immigration Advisers
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Supporting Licensed Immigration Advisers: How McVeagh Fleming can help

If you are a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), you work tirelessly to guide your clients through New Zealand’s complex immigration system. But when legal challenges arise, having the right support is essential. McVeagh Fleming offers tailored services to help you stay compliant, protect your practice, and navigate legal complexities with confidence.
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Auckland Maritime Lawyer - Attention NZ Boaties: New departure rules for those planning an overseas voyage
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New departure rules for those planning an overseas voyage

If you're a New Zealand yacht or boat owner planning to sail overseas, a new certification process is now in place. This change introduces new assessment steps, limited inspection locations, and strict application timeframes. With processing queues and only three approved assessment sites—Auckland, Kerikeri, and Nelson—it's crucial to start the application process at least 3 to 6 months in advance to avoid delays.
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Auckland Property, business and contract lawyers - UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF PROVIDING A GUARANTEE
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The risks of providing a guarantee

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. Auckland immigration lawyer perspective: the Active Investor Plus Visa (AIPV) category visa type.
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Active Investor Plus Visa – Announced changes

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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How to navigate the busy holiday period when making visa applications. Get help from Auckland Immigration Lawyer - Visa applications during the holiday period
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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 for the commercial property sector — retail shops, office buildings, industrial facilities, or hospitality venues.
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Seventh Edition Deed of Lease: Key updates

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? Article from McVeagh Fleming Lawyers - Auckland-based Family & Relationship Property team
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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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Auckland Immigration Lawyer - Our top 6 tips for Partnership Visa Applications
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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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Auckland Immigration Lawyer - Immigration changes to help those buying a business
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Immigration changes to help those buying a business

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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Auckland Immigration Lawyer - US election: A Donkey, an Elephant, or New Zealand
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A Donkey, an Elephant, or New Zealand

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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Auckland Lawyer for Wills - I was excluded from a Will, what can I do?
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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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Auckland property lawyer - Land covenants: the ability to amend to reflect modern developments
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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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The Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015

The Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015

Written by:
James Turner
The Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015 is implementing a number of updates to the Construction Contracts Act 2002 ("the CCA"). The amendments are coming into force progressively between 1 December 2015 and 31 March 2017.
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The New Health and Safety at Work Act

The New Health and Safety at Work Act

Written by:
James Turner
Commenced on 4 April 2016, the new Health and Safety at Work Act ("the Act") replaced the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 which overhauled the way businesses and organisations must implement their health and safety policies. The HSWA also put in place a new statutory regime to enforce compliance obligations.
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Zero Hour Contracts

Zero Hour Contracts

Written by:
James Turner
Issues on the “Zero Hour Contracts” for employees have been topical in the lead up to the Employment Standards Legislation Bill (“the Bill”), which is due to be passed on 1 April 2016.
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The Health and Safety Reform Bill

The Health and Safety Reform Bill

Written by:
James Turner
The enactment of the Health and Safety Reform Bill is expected to occur in April 2015. Significant changes to the workplace health and safety framework will require preparation now to ensure compliance.
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What is a Statutory Demand and When Should I Use It?

What is a Statutory Demand and When Should I Use It?

Written by:
What do you do when you are chasing a company for a debt and despite your requests, pleas, calls and curses, the company is failing or refusing to pay? The statutory demand process may be suitable in such circumstances.
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Know Your Business - Things You Should Think About Before the Sale

Know Your Business - Things You Should Think About Before the Sale

Written by:
Steve Graham
When it comes to a business sale you need to "know your business". It is far too easy for assumptions to be made that are not incorporated in thesale agreement itself. In this article, we comment briefly on some of the things you should think about before seeing an agent or putting pento paper.
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Doing Business in New Zealand - A Guide

Doing Business in New Zealand - A Guide

Written by:
Andrew Knight
Doing Business in New Zealand - A Guide
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KiwiSaver Employer Contributions Rate Change

KiwiSaver Employer Contributions Rate Change

Written by:
James Turner
The minimum contribution rate for employers and employees has increased from 2% to 3% of gross salary or wages from the first pay period commencing onor after 1 April 2013.
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Commercial Property Due Diligence Issues

Commercial Property Due Diligence Issues

Written by:
Brandon Cullen
Purchasers of commercial property should undertake an exhaustive review of each potential purchase before declaring an agreement unconditional. This review should be undertaken in consultation with your lawyer, accountant, property manager, building inspector, lender, and otherwise as appropriate.
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To Gift or Not to Gift?

To Gift or Not to Gift?

Written by:
Brandon Cullen
Gift duty was abolished from 1 October 2011 and while the legislative change itself is simple, it has surprisingly complex consequences. The abolition of gift duty has made it possible for individuals to gift assets directly to a trust and it is likely this practice will supplant the former method of selling property to a trust with a gift back.
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