Insights

The law can be complex, and it’s not always clear how it applies.

Our insights are designed to provide an overview of changes in legislation, an understanding of key regulatory issues, and recent case law relevant to our clients’ world.

Keep up to date with the insights that matter the most.

Recent Articles

Insight / Local Government

Resource management and local government reform: three more Bills to watch in 2026

Law reform in the resource management and local government space has been moving at a rapid pace this year. In March, we provided you with an update on four new Bills to watch out for. In this article, we take a brief look at three new Bills to keep an eye on.

Insight / Consumer Markets

Fair trading reform on the horizon: is your business ready?

The Fair Trading Amendment Bill (Bill) proposes significant changes to New Zealand’s consumer protection regime. Introduced on 13 May 2026, the Bill will amend the Fair Trading Act 1986 (Act) to increase penalties for breaches, introduce a new ‘safe harbour’ defence to support proactive scam disruption, and streamline the process for updating product safety demands.

Insight / Construction

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.

News / Firm

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.

Insight / Local Government

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.

Insight / Environment & Planning

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.