Cross leases are a familiar form of property ownership in New Zealand — and a common source of conflict when homes are altered. In Liow v Martelli, the Court of Appeal has clarified how consent should be approached, reshaping decades of practice.

Thinking of adding a shed or garage to a cross lease property? What seems like a simple upgrade can have serious legal consequences if the title isn’t handled correctly. This article explains how cross leases work, when consents and an updated flats plan are required, and how to avoid creating a defective title.

The Law Association of New Zealand (TLANZ) has released updated property transaction forms that will apply to agreements entered into from 21 April 2026. While the documents retain their familiar structure, a number of changes will have practical implications for buyers, sellers, and their advisers.

Sunset clauses in off-the-plan sale and purchase agreements can give either party a right to cancel if a project isn’t finished by a set date. With renewed attention on how developers may use these clauses, it’s important for purchasers to understand how they work and how to negotiate better protection.

Introduced to Parliament on 16 March 2026, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill recalibrates New Zealand’s alcohol licensing framework. While retaining its harm‑minimisation focus, the Bill addresses long‑standing concerns about cost, delay, and uncertainty for licence holders. This article outlines the key changes and their practical implications.

As we are potentially heading into an economic downturn, it is useful to look at what lessons learned during prior downturns could give better protection for business owners including how key assets are owned.

New regulations taking effect from April 2026 will change how meth contamination in residential rentals is assessed and managed. In this article Kaitlyn Nicholson summarises the key changes and what they mean for landlords and tenants.

Over the 2025/26 Summer we welcomed Jessica Holdaway and Isabel Xiao into our team to experience what it is like working at Harkness Henry. Both were based in our Hamilton office and worked in our Litigation and Environmental teams. Here is what they had to say about their time with us.

In New Zealand’s fast-moving property market, it can be tempting to rely on first impressions. A home may look immaculate, freshly painted, and structurally sound. It may even be brand new. However, appearances can be deceiving. Obtaining a builder’s report is a prudent and relatively inexpensive step that can protect what is likely to be one of the largest investments you will make.