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 / Relationship Property & Family

Following separation, what contributions should be factored in?

When a relationship ends, dividing property is not simply a matter of drawing a line at the date of separation and splitting the assets and liabilities that existed at that point. The process also requires an equitable accounting of what has occurred between separation and the eventual settlement, including the contributions each partner has made during that intervening period. New Zealand's Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (Act) provides the framework for this exercise.

Insight / Consumer Markets

Privacy Complaints

All New Zealand businesses must comply with the Privacy Act 2020 (Act) and the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) when dealing with personal information. An apparent failure to comply can prompt a complaint, which may lead to legal consequences.

Insight / Construction

Fast-track development contributions: Government narrows the infrastructure funding gap

The Government has made changes to the Local Government Act 2002 to address an issue increasingly exposed by New Zealand’s fast-track consenting regime: who pays when development occurs ahead of council infrastructure planning?

Insight / Environment & Planning

The RMA has left the building (sort of): what comes next?

After 35 years, 29 Amendment Acts and a near-miss in 2023, the Resource Management Act 1991 is finally being replaced.

Insight / Regulatory & Prosecutions

Whakaari-White Island Eruption Coronial Inquiry – Phase Two

The second phase of the Whakaari/White Island (Whakaari) Eruption Coronial Inquiry is underway, continuing one of the most significant coronial inquiries undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Inquiry relates to the eruption of Whakaari on 9 December 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 22 people and significant injuries to 25 others.

Insight / Relationship Property & Family

Contracting out agreements and intestacy. What the Supreme Court’s Rimmer v Wilton decision means

The Supreme Court has recently issued an important decision, Rimmer v Wilton [2026] NZSC 122, that will be of interest to anyone who has entered a contracting out agreement (sometimes called a “prenup” or section 21 agreement) or who is thinking about their estate planning.