Our insights
When it comes to law, knowledge is often power. Which is why we want to share our take on different legal matters you might be facing in business or personal life. Here’s the latest…
Developer Contributions
3 April 2024
A development contribution is a one-off charge imposed on new developments as a contribution to any growth-related costs relating to infrastructure required for the development. The reason that these are imposed is commonly to contribute to a cities long-term growth.
Personal Liability as an Employer? Damn straight.
25 March 2024
Many ‘employers’ in New Zealand, operate under a corporate identity through a limited liability company. There is a common assumption if a company becomes insolvent, that directors or those that influence or control the company, are protected by the ‘corporate veil’ – and can avoid personal consequences. In some circumstances, as this article explores, this common assumption is wrong.
Summer Clerk Experiences
20 March 2024
Harkness Henry recently welcomed three outstanding Clerks to our 2023/2024 Summer Clerk programme. The Clerks worked in a variety of practice areas including employment, property and commercial law, resource management law, trust law, dispute resolution, estate planning and estate administration. Mia was primarily based in our Cambridge office, while Ollie and Devony in our Hamilton office.
Residential Building Work – What Obligations Will My Builder Owe?
27 February 2024
A person’s home is their castle, so the saying goes. However, sometimes constructing the castle can be a dauting process. It is important, therefore, to know about the protections that exist for residential consumers. In this article, we summarise some key documents a residential consumer should expect to receive from the builder during the course a building project.
Environment Court Appeals
7 February 2024
What is an Environment Court appeal? When can I appeal a decision? What does an appeal involve? These are common questions that we are asked regularly. Whether you are contemplating an appeal or seeking clarity on the nuances of resource management law, this article shares insights into the key considerations of an Environment Court appeal.
Key differences between a tender agreement and an auction agreement
25 January 2024
In New Zealand, the process of purchasing land can involve different types of agreements, and two common methods are tender agreements and auction agreements. Set out in this article are the key differences between the two.