Buying property together? Understanding ownership options
Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common So, you’ve found the dream home, or at least one you can afford, and you’re buying it with someone else. Whether it’s your partner,…
Reverse Mortgages Explained
Most homeowners and purchasers of property are familiar with the concept of a mortgage. Simply put, a mortgage is the way in which a bank / lender takes security for…
Sharp Tudhope’s newest lawyers
Congratulations to Meg Skilton and Kate Bennett who were admitted to the bar at the High Court in Tauranga on Friday 5th August. The admission ceremony is a culmination of…
Failing to comply with minimum employment standards costly for employer
A recent Employment Relations Authority (ERA) hearing has found that a Dunedin bakery owner failed to pay its three employees correct wages, sick leave and holiday pay. The workers employed…
Parental leave payments to increase from 1 July
From today, eligible employees will receive an increase in the maximum weekly payment from $621.76 to $661.12 per week gross. The 6.33% increase is in line with the rise in…
Retirement village framework policy review proposed
A recent CFFC (Commission for Financial Capability) White Paper has proposed a complete policy review of the retirement villages framework which has not taken place since the Retirement Villages Act…
New rules for whistleblowers from 1 July
Significant changes are being made in New Zealand workplaces to better protect whistleblowers. The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 is set to replace the Protected Disclosures Act 2000…
Inheritance law is under review
In 2019 the Government instructed the Law Commission to review inheritance law in New Zealand which is currently governed by a combination of acts including the Family Protection Act of…
New rules for residential development in Tauranga are coming
The Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 is now in effect and requires Tauranga City Council to adopt new rules from 20 August 2022 to…
Gloriavale employment court decision raises the question, who is an employee?
This week the Employment Court handed down a landmark decision relating to three former members of the Gloriavale Christian community. While this case might seem extreme or unusual it is…