Insight Show me the money: enforcing court orders for debt payment Those owed money under a contract or because of a civil wrong are often quick to pursue the debtor for their loss. They may take their case to Court and obtain a judgment which confirms a debtor must pay. However, a successful creditor may not automatically receive the money owed, as the debtor might be insolvent or simply refuse to pay. Read more
News Wynn Williams promotes two new Partners Wynn Williams is delighted to announce the promotion of Kathryn Evans and Tom Heard to the Firm’s partnership. Read more
Insight A director’s dilemma: to guarantee, or not to guarantee? It is becoming increasingly common for directors to provide personal guarantees (PGs), guaranteeing a company’s obligations. Whether the guarantee is to secure a lease, obtain funding for working capital or reassure a supplier, the terms of each guarantee will differ, but the underlying principle remains the same – a personal commitment to ensure the satisfaction of the company’s obligations, often including repayment of the company’s debts. Read more
Insight New policies aim to streamline building inspection process Recently, the Hon Chris Penk (Minister of Building and Construction) announced the Government’s two-pronged approach to streamline the building consent and inspection process. These initiatives are the opt-in self-certification scheme, and the introduction of mandatory inspection timeframes for Building Consent Authorities (BCAs). The schemes are designed to free up BCAs to focus on high-risk, complex builds, and reduce development delays for simple residential builds. Read more
Insight Destruction of documents brings criminal charges in Commerce Commission investigation Recent judgments relating to the obstruction of an investigation by the Commerce Commission (Commission) offer a timely reminder to businesses and their staff that if they receive a statutory information notice from a New Zealand regulator, they should comply with it; not begin deleting or destroying information they think might get them into trouble. Read more
Insight Support beyond separation: understanding spousal maintenance After any relationship ends -whether it’s a marriage, civil union, or de facto partnership - it is not uncommon for one partner to face financial hardship. This is especially true when one party has been out of the workforce, caring for children, or supporting the household in ways that have limited their earning potential. In these situations, New Zealand law provides for spousal maintenance to help bridge the financial gap and provide temporary support during the transition to independence. Read more
News Recognition for Four Partners in Best Lawyers 2026 Wynn Williams is proud to announce that four of our Partners have been recognised in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in New Zealand. Read more
Insight Caught on camera: the rise of recorded work conversations Employees may be asked to attend a meeting with their employer at any time. The meeting might be about performance, conduct, or some other matter or incident they are involved in or have been asked to respond to. The need to maintain a record of such employment meetings is well-understood. In this article, we examine the response to rising legal disputes and concerns over the transparency and fairness of recording workplace meetings, investigations, and interactions. Read more
