Modern pathways to parenthood: private donors, surrogacy and adoption in New Zealand

Building a family is a deeply personal journey and there are many paths to parenthood. Whether you are considering using a private sperm donor, exploring surrogacy or pursuing adoption, understanding the legal landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand is an important first step. Our Firm has extensive experience guiding individuals and couples through these processes, and we are here to help you navigate the way forward with confidence.

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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.

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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.

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Throuple trouble: dividing relationship property when love comes in threes

It generally takes two to tango when it comes to relationship property disputes in New Zealand. But can those disputes extend to throuples who separate?

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Supreme Court considers short marriages and nuptial settlements in Lassnig v Zhou

The Supreme Court’s latest judgment, Lassnig v Zhou [2025] NZSC 116, is the latest in a series of appellate decisions over the last 15 years that have reconstructed Section 182 of the Family Proceedings Act 1980. The first, Ward v Ward [2009] NZSC 125 restated s 182’s remedial purpose; Clayton v Clayton [2016] NZSC 30 provided the modern analytical framework; and Preston v Preston [2021] NZSC 154 recast that framework as a three-stage inquiry, testing its limits in the difficult territory of blended families, pre-existing trusts and short marriages.

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Legal guardians and wills: what every parent needs to know

If you're a parent, one of the most important steps you can take to protect your child’s future is to ensure your will is up to date — including naming someone you trust to make decisions about your child if something happens to you. In New Zealand, there are two main ways someone can become a guardian of your child under the Care of Children Act 2004: either by being appointed in your will (as a “testamentary guardian”) or by the Family Court.

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