Insight New opportunities for granny flats under the updated consent exemption For many property owners, the appeal of a granny flat is easy to understand. A small standalone dwelling can create space for extended family, support ageing in place, generate rental income, or simply make better use of existing land. The recent changes to New Zealand’s building legislation are intended to make that option more accessible by allowing certain granny flats of up to 70 m² to be built without a building consent. Read more
News Construction law expert Jordan Oldham joins Wynn Williams partnership Wynn Williams is pleased to announce the expansion of its national Construction, Infrastructure & Projects team with the arrival on 8 June 2026 of new Partner*, Jordan Oldham. Read more
Insight Local government amalgamation ultimatum: our 10 takeaways On 5 May 2026 the RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts announced a new "Head Start" pathway enabling councils to propose their own local government reorganisation. Read more
Insight No paper road too remote: what will impact of latest Court of Appeal decision be? Last week, the New Zealand Court of Appeal handed down a significant judgment in Ours Not Mines Ltd v Hauraki District Council that has implications for how councils, landowners, developers and recreationalists think about the country's vast 55,000 kilometre-long network of unformed - or "paper" - roads. Read more
Insight Unlocking the value of brand protection A business’ brand is often one of its most valuable assets, reflecting its identity, reputation, and the trust it has built with suppliers and customers. While many New Zealand businesses dedicate considerable time and resources to developing, launching and promoting their brand, many overlook the crucial step of safeguarding this important intangible asset through formal trade mark registration. Read more
Insight Update on Government National Fuel Plan – 28 April 2026 Following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East in late March, the Government released an updated National Fuel Plan setting out a four-stage framework for managing fuel supply disruptions and prioritising fuel use if shortages intensify. Read more
News 5 WW lawyers recognised in NZ Lawyer Future Legal Leaders 2026 Five Wynn Williams lawyers have been recognised in the NZ Lawyer Future Legal Leaders 2026 list, which celebrates outstanding lawyers aged 35 and under who are making their mark across New Zealand and Australia through leadership, expertise, and impact in the profession. Read more
News Managing partner Ash Hill discusses Wynn Williams’ approach to AI adoption In this interview, Hill shares with NZ Lawyer the firm’s AI strategy, the importance of human involvement throughout the process, and his view on the future of legal AI. Read more
