News Wynn Williams announces senior associate and associate promotions Wynn Williams is delighted to announce the promotion of nine lawyers from across the Firm, in both the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch offices. Read more
Insight Fuel crisis: how rising fuel costs affect construction projects and contracts The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have sent fuel prices sharply upward in recent weeks, with diesel in New Zealand rising at more than double the rate of standard grade petrol. For construction projects, where fuel is a significant cost across the whole supply chain, the impact is being felt quickly and acutely. Owners and contractors across New Zealand are grappling with how these increased costs should be allocated, and what their contractual rights and obligations are in the current environment. Read more
News Four partners promoted at Wynn Williams Wynn Williams is delighted to announce the promotion of four new partners – Christina Twyman, Danita Ferreira, Katherine Binsted and Kate Bradley – as of 1 April 2026. Their appointment brings the number of Wynn Williams partners to 29. Read more
Insight Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 changes from 31 March 2026: What you need to know Are you preparing a fast-track approval application? If so, you need to be aware of changes taking effect on 31 March 2026. The Fast-track Approvals Amendment Act 2025 amends the fast-track approvals process in several respects. It will affect how applications are prepared, consulted on, assessed and decided. The key amendments are summarised below. Read more
Insight Rules about discharges – what regional councils need to know The Environment Court issued its second interim decision on the proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 (PC1) at the end of February in the case of Oji Fibre Solutions (NZ) Limited v Waikato Regional Council [2026] NZEnvC 033. Read more
Insight New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa is the country's principal residency-by-investment pathway. It is designed to attract investors who can help New Zealand companies access global knowledge networks, capital, and markets, with the aim of boosting business productivity and job growth. Read more
Insight New Ministerial Direction under the Overseas Investment Act — Key Changes from 6 March The reforms to the Overseas Investment Act, effective from 6 March 2026, have shifted New Zealand’s approach to foreign investment. The new regime is designed to make it easier and faster for most overseas investments to be approved, with the focus now on identifying and managing only those investments that pose risks to New Zealand’s national interest. Read more
Insight Resource management and local government reform: More than two new Bills – other legislative change to watch in 2026 This year is set to be one to remember in terms of resource management reform, with the Planning and Natural Environment Bills (proposed to replace the Resource Management Act 1991) expected to be passed into law in the middle of the year. Read more
