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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

IMMIGRATION UPDATE – WORK VISA VARIATIONS EXPLAINED

If you're in New Zealand on a work visa and your employment circumstances change, it can be a stressful time filled with uncertainty. The good news is, you can update your work visa to match your new job offer! Work visas granted under the Post-Study Employer Assisted and the Essential skills categories have your role,...
Written by: Lauren Qiu
Categories: Topical issues

EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES ARE ON THEIR WAY

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament last week. It contains provisions rolling back the last government's changes to individual terms of employment and to collective bargaining and union rights. Proposed changes to individual employment agreements include: Restricting the use of 90-day trial periods to employers with fewer than 20 employees. Reinstating the...
Written by: Shima Grice
Categories: Corporate / Commercial | Law Changes | Topical issues

INCOME THRESHOLDS RISE FOR RESIDENCY AND WORK VISA APPLICATIONS

On 15 January 2018 Immigration New Zealand increased the salary bands for Essential Skills work visa and Skilled Migrant residency visa applications. The increases are slight, and come about because the remuneration thresholds are indexed against the New Zealand median income.  In September 2017, Statistics New Zealand announced that the average earnings from salaries and...
Written by: Michelle Urquhart
Categories: Law Changes | Topical issues
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