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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Remember to keep your employees in the loop when selling your business

Remember to keep your employees in the loop when selling your business

Selling a business involves balancing confidentiality and transparency with employees, especially under New Zealand employment law. When selling assets, employers must consult with employees before finalising the sale to avoid grievances if jobs are affected.
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Children who Resist, Refuse or Reject a relationship with their Parent

Children who Resist, Refuse or Reject a relationship with their Parent

Written by:
Jackie Dale
Amber Holdaway
Separating from your spouse or partner is often stressful, complicated, and painful especially when children are involved. Reaching an agreement about how a child's care will be shared can be challenging and deepen conflict between parents if they do not see eye to eye.
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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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