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OVERSEAS PEOPLE CAN’T BUY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FROM 22 OCTOBER 2018 WITHOUT GOVERNMENT CONSENT

The Overseas Investment Amendment Act 2018 (“Act”) will take effect on 22 October 2018. The Act will prevent overseas people from buying residential property in New Zealand without Government consent by bringing “residential land” into the definition of “sensitive land” in the Overseas Investment Act 2005. Overseas people who buy residential property in New Zealand…

Written by: Michelle Urquhart
Categories: Immigration Law | Property Law | Topical issues

WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN?

By now you may have heard of Blockchain, a disruptive force that promises to revolutionise everything from the banking system to the legal domain. This begs the question: what exactly is Blockchain? Blockchain first emerged as the technology underlying Bitcoin, a new form of currency for the digital age and a reaction to the faltering…

Written by: Ben Alexander
Categories: Topical issues

MOVING IN OR MOVING ON – ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PARTNER’S STUDENT LOAN DEBT?

Student loans are often forgotten when couples think about relationship property and relationship debt. Personal debt will usually remain with the person that incurred the debt, while relationship debt is divided equally (if you have been together for 3 years or more). The treatment of a student loan should be considered before entering into a…

Written by: Lauren Qiu
Categories: Relationship Property | Topical issues

GETTING DIVORCED – WHAT NOW?

Whilst movies and TV shows lead us to believe that “getting a divorce” is all very simple and straightforward, in New Zealand this is quite often not the case. In New Zealand, the legal term for “getting a divorce” is being granted a Dissolution Order by the Family Court. To qualify you must have been…

Written by: Sophie Harrigan
Categories: Topical issues

CHARACTER WAIVERS EXPLAINED

What is a character waiver? To qualify for a visa in New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requires the applicant to be of good character. If you are aged 17 or over, you are required to provide a police certificate with your application. The good character requirement applies to those who are coming into New...
Written by: Lauren Qiu
Categories: Topical issues

SEPARATION AND RELATIONSHIP PROPERTY DIVISION – HOW DOES IT WORK?

When a relationship fails, relationship property division can be settled either by agreement between the parties, or by a decision of a Family Court Judge. As experienced Family lawyers, we try and resolve matters by negotiation and agreement first, but if that cannot be achieved, then proceedings are filed through the Family Court for resolution. ...
Written by: Karen Gravatt
Categories: Topical issues

RECORD-KEEPING AND WAGES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE – POOR ADMINISTRATION CAN BE COSTLY

A recent Employment Relations Authority case, Labour Inspector v Aulack Enterprises Limited, highlights the importance of ensuring that all employees have compliant employment agreements, that your wage and time records are accurate, and that employees are paid their legal entitlements. Aulack operated a kiwifruit picking contract business. Following an investigation by a Labour Inspector, Aulack was found...
Written by: Shima Grice
Categories: SMEs (Small to Medium Businesses) | Topical issues
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