Our Blog

Property Law

Overhanging Trees, Boundary Issues, and Ownership of Fruit: What you Need to know

In New Zealand, trees planted close to property boundaries can lead to disputes, especially when branches overhang or roots encroach into a neighbouring property. Understanding the law governing these situations can help property owners resolve issues amicably and avoid unnecessary conflicts. OWNERSHIP OF OVERHANGING BRANCHES AND FRUIT Legally, the branches, leaves, and fruit of a

Read More »
Property Law

Buying a business in New Zealand: key considerations

Buying a business in New Zealand can be both exciting and stressful. It marks the start of a new adventure, but usually involves some uncertainty and risk. START A NEW BUSINESS INSTEAD? An existing business should offer an established customer base and cashflow. However, you also inherit existing challenges and may need to make changes

Read More »
Property Law

Understanding the brightline tax test

The Brightline tax test is a crucial part of New Zealand’s property taxation framework, designed to curb property speculation and ensure that profits from quick property sales are taxed appropriately. Introduced in October 2015, the test has undergone several changes, reflecting the governments’ ongoing efforts to stabilize the housing market and address affordability issues. The

Read More »
Family Trusts and Estate Planning

Practical steps to avoid financial difficulties after the death of a partner or spouse

The death of a partner or spouse is an emotionally challenging time, often compounded by the practical difficulties of managing finances and paying for expenses. Understanding how joint accounts work and the requirements of obtaining probate can help streamline financial matters during such times. In running a busy Estates practice, we often see things happening

Read More »
Property Law

How engaging a reputable mortgage broker can help alleviate mortgage pressures in New Zealand

For many families in New Zealand, mortgage pressures can strain finances and relationships. High or rising interest rates, changing economic conditions, and unforeseen personal circumstances can make managing mortgage payments challenging. We have dealings and contact with a number of mortgage advisers (previously known as brokers), and in this article we explore some of the

Read More »
Property Law

A man’s home is his castle…

Or so the saying goes. True perhaps, but one of the problems with modern day castles is they may not have secure parapets and their locations can be known to all. Through the introduction and initial reading of the Companies (Address Information) Amendment Bill, Parliament is looking at allowing company directors to have their residential

Read More »
Property Law

Upcoming changes to PROPERTY tax and TENANCY laws.

Alongside the changes to employment law, the National-ACT-NZ First coalition is bringing in major changes to the property sector. Among the most significant and those likely to affect many of our clients are: TENANCY AND RENTAL MARKET ADJUSTMENTS DEDUCTIBILITY OF MORTGAGE INTEREST FOR LANDLORDS From 1 April 2024, landlords may claim back 80% of the

Read More »
Employment

Probationary and Trial Periods: What’s the difference?

In our last Newsletter we covered the imminent changes to employment law flagged by the incoming Government. One of the most significant of these was the extension of the 90 trial period to all businesses, not just those with fewer than 20 employees. It will be interesting to see if this change will have any

Read More »
Scroll to Top

Merry Christmas

We shut on the 20th of December and re-open again on the 13th of January 2025

Compliments of the season to you also and we hope you enjoy a relaxing break.