Home / News & Events

News & Events

Employee browsing: the overlooked privacy risk facing New Zealand workplaces
When we think about privacy breaches our minds often turn to major cyber incidents, data leaks or lost devices. However, many privacy breaches occur in much simpler ways, including...
Read More
When receivership can’t wait: The High Court’s first urgent orders under the Farm Debt Mediation Act
The High Court has made its first reported order under section 61 of the...
Employee Mental Health During Disciplinary and Performance Processes
Performance management and disciplinary processes are often stressful experiences for employees and can trigger...
Active Investor Plus: August 2026 Changes, Policy Clarity and Consequences
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has introduced a package of changes to the Active Investor...
Wearables in Elite Sport: Privacy, Consent and Data Ownership in New Zealand
With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games now concluded, attention is turning from competition results...
Demystifying ‘without prejudice’ communications: what’s privileged, what’s not, and how does it impact costs?
If you’re an individual, or an employer, who has been involved in an employment...
The promotion trap and the Employment Relations Act 2000: what high earners and their employers need to know
Effective from 21 February 2026, the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 made two key...
Employment Leave Bill – Holidays Act Reformed at Last?
After years of stops and starts towards reforming the Holidays Act 2003, Parliament has...
By the Numbers: What the Employment Relations Authority’s Annual Report Reveals
The Employment Relations Authority (Authority) has released its Annual Report for 2025, giving us...
De Facto Rights, the Property (Relationship) Act and 13 Years of Legal Limbo
A 30-year relationship, a property, and 13 years of legal limbo – what this...
Battling Cybersquatting: Protecting your Brand in the Digital Age
In today’s digital age, branding and intellectual property can be a business’s most valuable...
What Relationship Breakdowns Can Mean For Your Family Trust
When people separate or end their marriage, relationship property issues are often the first...
The Copyright Trap for Creators in New Zealand
If you are a creative who produces works based “on commission”, you could be...
Contributory conduct: New law changes for how remedies are awarded
The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 limits how remedies are awarded once a personal...
Copyright Considerations when using AI in the Workplace
If you use a generative AI tool in your everyday work activities, you’re unlikely...
Election 2026: What a change in government could mean for your workplace
With the General Election only a few months away, a change in government may...
Lane Neave welcomes Arran Hunt to its Immigration Law practice
Lane Neave is thrilled to welcome Arran Hunt, who today, 6 July 2026, joins...
Crypto Yield, Full Regulation: What the Australian Block Earner Decision Could Mean for New Zealand Businesses
A recent decision from Australia’s highest court reinforces a clear message to the crypto...
Six recognised in 2026 mid-year promotions
Six lawyers and support staff have been recognised for their hard work, talent and...
Ben Russell appointed Managing Partner of Lane Neave
Litigation Partner Ben Russell today becomes Lane Neave’s Managing Partner, marking the next chapter...
Discrimination Claims After the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026
Changes introduced by the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 may see fewer rewards for...
Is flexible work quietly becoming the next workplace battleground?
Not long ago, working from home was considered a Covid-19-imposed necessity, or perhaps a...
Free webinar: visa pathways and your immigration future in New Zealand 
Working in New Zealand on a visa and unsure what comes next? Or looking at...
Webinar: AI and employment law
Join Special Counsel Joseph Harrop for this lunchtime webinar on 2 July when he’ll...
Digging in for a cause: Lane Neave joins CVNZ Corporate Challenge
Lane Neave has kicked off an early start to Volunteer Week, with staff rolling...
Rising through the ranks: Alex Stone named Lane Neave Partner
After a swift rise through the Lane Neave ranks, Alex Stone has been appointed...
Exit strategy or breach? The $900k difference
A recent Employment Court judgment highlights the financial consequences an employee can face for...
Active Investor Plus: philanthropy now allowed under growth category
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has introduced a change to the Active Investor Plus (AI+)...
Lane Neave extends support of the arts through SCAPE sponsorship
Lane Neave’s support of SCAPE Public Art’s 2026 season recognises the art organisation’s long-standing...
Employer’s obligations when considering medical incapacity
A recent case highlights the tricky balancing act employers must navigate when illness or...
“Human in the Loop” in AI. Great catchphrase – what does it mean?
AI is used in employment decisions ranging from investigation outcomes, performance assessments, pay-reviews, candidate...
Workforce impact ahead: English language requirements expand for AEWV roles
From 1 June, Immigration New Zealand will require applicants for ANZSCO / NOL Skill...
Demystifying buying property for NZ investor visa holders – acquisition pathways and tax overlay
On 6 March 2026, the much-anticipated reforms to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (Act)...
Data breach: from chaos to control
Cyber incidents are increasing dramatically and – with personal liability on the horizon for...
De facto relationships and the Property (Relationships) Act – what you need to know
A lot of people assume the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the PRA) only applies...
Doyle’s Guide recognition for Insolvency & Restructuring legal expertise
Lane Neave Partner Lynne Van has been named as a recommended lawyer in the...
Privacy and AI in the workplace: a critical and costly risk for directors
The privacy risk of generative AI in the workplace is a ticking time-bomb, however...
Personal guarantees – when business decisions become personal
Personal guarantees often feel like routine paperwork, however they can fundamentally change the dynamics...
Appeal dismissed – former Ports of Auckland CEO
The recent dismissal of an appeal lodged by the former Ports of Auckland CEO...
Is AI quietly increasing legal fees in employment law matters?
Artificial intelligence is often hailed as making things faster, cheaper and easier, however in...
Construction and Environment – Lane Neave among leading Doyle’s Guide firms
Lane Neave’s legal expertise in both construction and environmental law has been recognised once...
The cross-lease conundrum: is my title defective and does it matter?
The Court of Appeal has changed the rules on cross-lease consent. Auckland Senior Associate...
New Information Privacy Principle: what employers need to know
From 1 May 2026, the Privacy Amendment Act 2025 introduces a new Information Privacy...
Wellness: what advertisers should know
Health and wellness marketing has never been more crowded – and the line between...
Sarah Wadworth: Future Legal Leader
Lane Neave Special Counsel Sarah Wadworth’s extensive expertise has been recognised in NZ Lawyer’s...
Spousal maintenance in New Zealand – what it is and who can apply
Separation isn’t just a legal event. Whether you were the one who managed the...
Beware of pretty pictures and sales pitch when choosing a builder
A recent New Zealand case highlights how homeowners should beware of pretty pictures and...
Recent changes to the Employment Relations Act: what employers need to know
The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 came into force on 21 February 2026, bringing...
Webinar: Latest immigration policy changes: what they mean for your workforce
Immigration New Zealand recently released fairly substantial policy changes in relation to residence visa...
Lane Neave announces leadership changes
After more than 34 years at Lane Neave, and 27 years as a Partner,...
Employer obligations when family takes priority
An employee’s return to work after parental leave can be tricky to navigate in...
Nicola Cuervo to join Lane Neave Partnership
Nicola Cuervo will join the Lane Neave Partnership from Wednesday 1 April, further strengthening...
Preparing for Easter and ANZAC Day
Easter and ANZAC Day can sneak up on even the best‑run businesses, so we’ve...
The gateway test: when does it apply?
We recently outlined changes to the law that arrived via the Employment Relations Amendment...
Construction industry warning: lack of payment schedule could lead to liquidation
A recent decision of the Court of Appeal serves as a reminder of the...
AI in the Legal Sector: don’t fire your lawyer yet
Do you have a friend who is extremely confident in their views but often...
Doyle’s Guide legal leaders announced – employment; workplace health & safety; immigration
Lane Neave has earned strong recognition in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide rankings, with six...
Employment Leave Bill – an overdue overhaul of the Holidays Act 2003
Earlier this month, the Employment Leave Bill (Bill) was introduced into Parliament, signifying an...
Shareholder disputes – how to prevent and manage them
Shareholder disputes threaten business continuity, shareholder value, and create governance risk. For executives, founders,...
2026 SMC overhaul: winners, losers & what happens next
If you’ve been following the signals, you’ll know Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has been...
Suspension can amount to an unjustified dismissal
An employer operating a laundromat has been ordered to pay over $157,000 in wage...
New Zealand Parliament advances Modern Slavery Bill
On 29 January 2025, the New Zealand Parliament took an historic step forward by...
Employment law is changing – events to help ensure you’re ready
We’re teaming up with Human Resources New Zealand (HRNZ) for two highly topical employment...
The importance of fair processes amid criminal claims
Beveridge v PVB Investments Limited (Beveridge) is the Employment Relations Authority’s most recent reminder...
Major reform to employment law: the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026
The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 (Act) was enacted on 19 February 2026, to...
Health & safety – a shift to managing critical risks
On 9 February 2026, the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill (Bill) was...
When an informal meeting has formal consequences
In a December 2025 Employment Court (Court) decision, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand...
Upcoming Privacy Act changes: new obligations for agencies
From 1 May 2026, significant changes to the Privacy Act 2020 (Act) will come...
2026 Queenstown Business Intelligence Series announced
Lane Neave is partnering once again with the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce to...
2026 Workplace Law webinar series
Join our employment law experts for the return of our popular annual webinars. Led...
The $200k trap: why your next promotion could strip your legal rights
A major shift is coming for high‑earning professionals in New Zealand – and it...
Supreme Court confirms family carers can be government employees
The Supreme Court (Court) has confirmed that family carers can, in some circumstances, be...
What 2026 holds for employment law
2026 is shaping up to be a significant year for employment law reform in...
Workplace privacy in the digital age
As employers collect and manage increasing amounts of personal information, workplace privacy has become...
The psychosocial risks hidden in performance management plans
On 19 December 2025, a New South Wales Court made a landmark decision: the...
New legislation impacting relationship property proceedings
Recent legislative reforms in New Zealand mark a significant shift in how family violence...
Is 2026 a wake-up call for your trade mark strategy?
For many businesses, trade marks have traditionally been managed on a “set and forget”...
Lane Neave expands Legal 500 rankings with new practice areas
Lane Neave has strengthened its reputation in the Asia-Pacific legal market, earning recognition in two new practice...
Reinstatement on the rise in personal grievances
Reinstatement is emerging as an increasingly common outcome in personal grievance cases, reaffirming its...
Sustainability in action: emissions cut by 41%
Lane Neave has achieved its fourth consecutive Toitū Carbon Reduce Certification, with an annual...
Foreign buyer ban lifted – new property purchase law passed
On Friday 12 December 2025, the New Zealand Government passed, under urgency, an amendment...
Native plant nursery growing community, climate action, and a greener future
With our support, a new native plant nursery has taken root at Christchurch’s Climate...
WorkSafe shifts to educational approach
This year, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van-Velden undertook a ‘roadshow’, obtaining feedback...
New Year promotions announced
We’re pleased to announce that 12 of our people from around the country have...
Chambers rankings include new practice area
Lane Neave’s legal expertise has been recognised again by Chambers and Partners, with rankings...
Five legal risks every New Zealand executive should watch in 2026
Proactive legal risk management is essential for every New Zealand executive navigating today’s increasingly...
Dismissal gone wrong: 90-day trials and the importance of getting them right
The Employment Relations Authority’s (Authority) recent determination, Liu v Legend International Holdings is a...
When wage deductions go too far: Soapi v Pick Hawkes Bay
A recent, breezy, 54-page judgment from the Employment Court illustrated the costly consequences for...
Lane Neave extends national capability with senior appointments
Lane Neave has appointed a new Litigation Partner and three other senior practitioners to...
Workplace fatalities: WorkSafe v NZ Solid Limited
A recent sentencing in the District Court highlights the significant penalties that can arise...
Lane Neave support drives tangible outcomes for rangatahi
Lane Neave’s ongoing partnership with The Great Potentials Foundation continues to deliver measurable benefits...
Employment law webinar – stay informed, stay compliant and get ahead of the curve
Join our employment law experts as they unpack the significant developments that have shaped...
Rising through the IFLR1000 directory rankings
Our practices continue to rise through the IFLR1000 ranks, with Banking and Financial Services...
The consequences of getting it wrong: volunteer or employee?
The Gloriavale situation is a great example of how wrongly categorising your employees, or...
Calling it “casual” doesn’t make it so
A recent Employment Relations Authority determination is a reminder that employers need to look...
Proposed law changes would green-light termination of employment by agreement
The Education and Workforce Committee has reported back on ACT MP’s Employment Relations (Termination...
Government addresses further calls for regulation of employment law advocates
The lack of regulation around employment advocates has long been a hot topic, with...
Free HR immigration update webinar: start 2026 strong: visa updates for NZ employers 
The immigration and visa landscape in New Zealand is constantly changing – and more...
Free webinar: Your New Zealand medical career – simplified
On 28 October, please join us for a one-hour webinar, tailored for medical professionals...
Holidays Act reform: a step in the right direction
The Government has announced a planned replacement of the Holidays Act 2003 (Act) and,...
Seminar: where immigration and employment law collide
While immigration and employment law are two distinct legal areas, they can often over-lap...
New holiday leave legislation: what you need to know
The Government has announced a proposed repeal of the Holidays Act 2003 (Act) and...
Serious misconduct: not as straightforward as it seems
A recent determination of the Employment Relations Authority serves as a reminder of the...
Helping parents stay longer in NZ: your guide to the Parent Boost Visitor Visa
Immigration New Zealand is introducing a new visa that could make it easier for...
Probationary period or 90-day trial: knowing when and how to use them
When implemented and carried out lawfully, probationary periods and 90-day trials are useful tools...
Free immigration and visa webinar: your immigration future in NZ
Are you currently working in New Zealand on a visa and wondering what’s next?...
New law lifts lid on pay secrecy
Employers are now prevented from taking disciplinary action against employees who talk about their...
Commitment to culture behind Employer of Choice Award
Lane Neave’s commitment to putting people at the very heart of the firm has...
NZ opens doors: investor visa holders can now buy or build homes
On 1 September, the New Zealand Government announced a major change: investor resident visa...
Webinar – the latest in immigration policies
Being held on Wednesday, this lunchtime webinar is tailored for employers navigating New Zealand’s...
New Business Investor Visa: supporting succession and growth of NZ SMEs
On 27 August, the Minister of Immigration announced the retirement of the long-troubled Entrepreneur...
Nurturing future legal talent
“This was one of the best events I’ve attended. It felt genuine and welcoming.”...
Strike – we’re out! An overview of strikes in New Zealand
Strikes have been in the news lately, with secondary school teachers on strike mid-August...
Taxation of cryptoassets for investors in New Zealand
Over the past decade, cryptocurrency, digital assets, or cryptoassets (crypto), have grown in both...
Oz looks to mandate the right to work from home
Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, has announced her intention to introduce legislation which would give...
Caught on camera: Coldplay kiss scandal & workplace relationships
When Coldplay’s kiss cam panned to a couple at a recent concert, few expected...
Performance management – how to avoid common pitfalls
Competent, high-performing staff are key to the success of any business. Where staff are...
Fixed term employment – a cautionary tale for employers
A recent decision from the Employment Court serves as a reminder to employers to...
Health & Safety Liability Workshop – for officers and senior leaders
This exclusive workshop that explores recent Health & Safety developments and what they mean...
Taxation of cryptoassets and residency in New Zealand
Tax residency and crypto obligations Investors or speculators in cryptoassets (crypto) who have lived...
Supporting Queenstown Business Awards 2025
The Queenstown Business Awards 2025 launched today, with Lane Neave proud sponsors of the...
Employment Law webinar – register now
Join our employment law experts for a lunchtime webinar on Wednesday 6 August as...
Taxation of cryptoassets for New Zealand businesses
Crypto trading – when are you in business? Individuals and entities engaged in the...
Blockchain expertise recognised in latest Chambers Global Practice Guide
During the past year, New Zealand’s blockchain market has seen significant activity, emphasising its...
In-person seminar: business succession planning
A strong exit strategy is just as important as a strong start in the...
In-person seminar: fast track & resource management
Join Partner Joshua Leckie for this in-person seminar where he will outline the Fast...
Behind-the-scenes at the Court Theatre
As sponsors of The Court Theatre, we were recently treated to a behind-the-scenes tour...
Explained: Employment Relations Amendment Bill – the four key changes
On 17 June 2025, Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden introduced the Employment Relations Amendment...
Lane Neave supports launch of new social enterprise
Many hours of pro bono support from Lane Neave have contributed to the opening...
WorkSafe’s rebrand: from regulator to common-sense advisory body
The Government has announced a significant shift that will change WorkSafe New Zealand’s (WorkSafe)...
Authority confirms worker was employee in disputed wage case
The Employment Relations Authority (Authority) has ruled in favour of a worker who claimed...
Children’s privacy: parents do not have an automatic right to access their children’s information
It may come as a surprise that parents, legal guardians, or caregivers do not...
New guidelines released for photographing and filming children
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) has recently released new guidance concerning photography...
12 recognised in mid-year promotions
A total of 12 lawyers and legal support staff have been recognised for their...
Internal or external business succession planning – which path is right for you?
As New Zealand’s business landscape evolves alongside a wave of baby boomers who are...
Secret recordings in the workplace a breach of good faith
A recent Employment Relations Authority (Authority) decision has brought to light the serious consequences...
Generative AI no substitute for a qualified lawyer
The growing accessibility of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is influencing many aspects of...
Selling a business? What you should know about consulting employees
A recent decision from the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) in Abernethy v Kono NZ LP, has...
Increasing blockchain adoption across New Zealand sectors
Blockchain adoption in New Zealand is progressing across multiple industries, driven by a mix...
Blockchain technology – our legal landscape
New Zealand’s legal framework is gradually adapting to blockchain innovation, but there remains a...
Construction expertise recognised in Doyles Guide
Lane Neave’s considerable expertise in construction-specific dispute resolution has been recognised in the latest...
Lane Neave advises on the sale of Molekulis to Redox Limited
Lane Neave has advised on the New Zealand aspect of the sale of Molekulis...
Building the future of education through expert legal advice
For the first time, Lane Neave is a sponsor of The Great Childcare &...
Employee awarded $100,000 in pregnancy discrimination case
In a recent decision from the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT), a beauty therapist...
Supporting families toward mental wellbeing
As part of our commitment to promoting health and wellbeing in our workplace and...
Government to scrap 30-day employment agreement rule
It will no longer be mandatory for individual employment agreements to reflect collective agreement...
2025 Doyles Guide legal leaders announced – Employment; Workplace Health & Safety
The Doyles Guide has released its 2025 list of Employment, and Workplace Health &...
Webinar – updates, trends, and key changes in immigration policy
If you’re an employer navigating New Zealand’s ever-changing immigration landscape, please join us for...
Nine recognised as ‘Best Lawyers’
Nine Lane Neave lawyers have been recognised in the latest edition of the Best...
Government bringing practical approach to health and safety
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke van Velden, says the Government is looking to...
New Bill aims to foster more balanced consumer credit market
The Government has introduced a further Bill that represents a comprehensive effort to modernise...
Employment law update: significant changes ahead
We’re teaming up with HRNZ’s Canterbury Branch for this seminar that explores the significant...
Remuneration – I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours
Employers may soon be prevented from taking disciplinary action against employees who talk about...
Overseas investment visa reset unlocks huge opportunity for property development
Property development is now an acceptable investment under the refined Active Investor Plus Visa...
Employer theft bill passes into law
This month, the Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill passed into law. For the...
Partial strike bill likely to irk unions and workers
Among the Government’s long list of employment policies, the recently introduced Employment Relations (Pay...
Employer ordered to pay $30,000 for disclosing drug test refusal
A recent case serves as a reminder that claims under the Privacy Act 2020...
Webinar: taxation on cryptocurrencies and crypto transactions
The intersection of crypto, taxation and insolvency is evolving rapidly, and the stakes are...
“Going for Growth” – Active Investor Plus visa refinements expand pool of NZ businesses and funds that can access foreign investment
Refinements to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa programme that come into effect on...
2025 Queenstown Business Intelligence Series announced
The Fast Track Approvals Act and legal updates around employment and succession – the...
Clarifying collective bargaining – the latest from the Employment Court
The boundaries of collective bargaining in the high-performance sport scene have been turned on...
Queenstown seminar: All Things Recruitment – 10 April
Struggling to find the right talent while staying compliant? Join this practical, no-nonsense seminar...
2025/2026 summer clerk applications open
Applications for our 2025/2026 Summer Clerk programme are now open until 30 March for...
Personal grievances – employers should prepare for proposed changes
The Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Hon Brooke van Velden, has provided further details...
New bill likely to shift employment law landscape
2025 has been a year full of significant changes to employment law, and a...
Commitment to sustainability paying off
An eight percent annual drop in carbon emissions means we have been re-certified as...
Trusts – protecting your loved ones from themselves
When planning for the future, it’s natural to want your loved ones to benefit...
Proposed mental health guidelines a step change for workplace safety
WorkSafe has proposed a guideline to help persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)...
Partnership with Drake NZ announced
We are proud to announce that we’ve partnered with leading recruitment firm Drake New...
Genuine restructuring or unjustified dismissal?
A recent case highlights that unresolved employment relationship issues have the ability to derail...
Written agreements crucial for employees
A recent Employment Relations Authority case highlights the importance of employers providing employees with...
2025 Workplace Law webinar series announced
Our popular Workplace Law webinar series is back for another season. Please join our...
Open for Business – Refinements to the Active Investor Plus Visa
On 9 February 2025, the New Zealand Government announced changes to our Active Investor...
When someone is just not medically up to the job
One of the toughest areas of employment law is the issue of when an...
And that’s a WRAP, 2024
2024 was a year of interesting changes and proposals – and we’re expecting 2025...
18 recognised in Legal 500 2025
Lane Neave has been recognised as a leading law firm in the Legal 500...
When are trustee rights considered relationship property?
The recent Supreme Court case of Cooper v Pinney has provided a clearer picture...
New Year promotions announced
Seven of our legal staff from around the country have been promoted in the...
Early Christmas present from Minister of Immigration
With less than a week until Christmas, the Minister of Immigration has announced a suite of...
Client praise reflected in 2025 Chambers Asia-Pacific guide
Talented, pragmatic, effective, smart, high-calibre and outstanding service – just some of ways clients...
Dirty tactics could jeopardise court costs and reputation
A recent case is a good reminder to choose advocates and lawyers carefully. Advocates...
ACT’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill attracts criticism
Recently, the ACT party’s Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill (Bill),...
Landmark decision lands ex-CEO in troubled waters
In a landmark decision, the Port of Auckland’s former CEO has been found guilty...
Personal grievances for high earners shelved under proposed law change
Proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 would mean an employee earning above...
Celebrating the achievements of our MATES
We were thrilled to be a part of the MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education...
Spike in interest from Americans wanting to call New Zealand home
Our immigration law experts are experiencing a surge of interest from Americans looking to...
2024 accolades for Lane Neave in IFLR1000
Lane Neave’s Banking and Financial Services Team has been recognised in two practice areas...
NZ Blockchain technology law evolving at pace
Blockchain is a new concept for a lot of New Zealanders, however the market...
Webinar: Charting your medical career in New Zealand: an insider’s guide to success
Please join us for a free one-hour webinar, aimed specifically for medical professionals who...
Difficult to recover loss when notice period clipped
Employers seeking to recover damages from an employee who fails to work out their...
10 Health and Safety lessons from Whakaari (White) Island Prosecutions
Join us and Rubix Safe for a joint workshop that covers the top 10...
Employer obligations in workplace investigations
Whether it’s allegations of misconduct, bullying, or health and safety, conducting fair and proper...
Celebrating Keystone Trust’s 30th
As sponsors of Keystone Trust, we were delighted to be invited along to celebrate...
Busting the myths around berms
Berms have been making headlines lately, sparking questions like – who’s responsible for them,...
Prestigious recognition in Elite Women 2024 – Evelyn Jones
There’s not only one way to become a successful lawyer, and it’s okay if...
Australia’s industrial manslaughter offence – what can NZ expect? 
Industrial manslaughter has recently become an offence in New South Wales and might not...
Employee vs contractor – greater clarity or more confusion?
We now have more details on proposed changes to the employee vs independent contractor...
Flexible working under the spotlight
The laws governing flexible working arrangements are under the spotlight following a recent top-down...
Bill could deem employers thieves
Employers could be deemed thieves for failing to pay employees money owed to them...
Records of Settlement and capacity issues
While the threshold for overturning a Record of Settlement is high, a recent case...
Senior appointments further boost national corporate law bench-strength
Partner Ellen Sewell and Special Counsel Maggie Chang have joined Lane Neave to bring...
Lane Neave nominated for New Zealand law award
We’re delighted to announce that Lane Neave Managing Partner Andrew Shaw is among the...
End of Life Choice Act – terms of reference released
The coalition Government has released the terms of reference for its first statutory review...
Health and Safety consultants found liable
In a New Zealand first, a health and safety consultancy has been charged under...
High schoolers enjoy day out at Lane Neave
A valuable insight into how a law firm ticks, with students learning about such...
Avoid price-fixing or face the cost
Businesses need to distinguish between legitimate competitor collaboration and anticompetitive collusion, or could find...
Uber Drivers are Employees — Court of Appeal
In this long-awaited decision, the Court of Appeal (CA) has affirmed the Employment Court’s...
Jaxon Grieve promoted to Lane Neave Partner
Lane Neave has further bolstered its national commercial property capability with the elevation of...
Clendons joins Lane Neave
Specialist Auckland business and commercial law firm, Clendons Law, has joined national full-service firm...
Free property seminar – mortgagee sales, plus RMA & OIA shifts and impacts
Mortgagee sales are on the rise and – with interest rates staying stubbornly high,...
Costly u-turn on employee dismissal
Failing to follow a fair process when dismissing an employee could result in their...
Director personally liable for employment breaches
The director of a company and his wife, a manager, have been ordered by...
Has my employee abandoned their employment?
There are a number of steps employers should take when determining whether an employee...
Consultation versus confidentiality
The Court of Appeal has declined an application for leave to appeal the Employment...
Proposed parental leave changes promise more flexibility
Proposed changes to parental leave legislation promise more flexibility for non-biological parents, and more...
Workshop boosts confidence of aspiring lawyers
“This experience has greatly boosted my confidence in planning a career in law,” says...
Precedent-setting Siouxsie Wiles harassment court case
The University of Auckland has been ordered to pay $20,000 in damages to employee...
Emojis in the workplace: potential risks and guidance
Emojis can lead employees into trouble if they’re used inappropriately in the workplace –...
Chambers Global Practice Guide – Blockchain 2024
When it comes to regulating blockchain and cryptoassets, New Zealand is taking a cautious...
New chapter for Lane Neave Wellington
Today marks a new chapter for Lane Neave Wellington, with an expanded team relocating...
Government moves to stop contractors challenging employment status
The Government appears to be moving ahead with plans to prevent independent contractors from...
Working until the job is done? availability issues in employment
Personal grievances and claims for wage arrears are just two consequences of poorly worded...
Get smart with smart contracts
The increasing use of smart contracts is saving users time and money, however there...
Mid-year promotions announced
Seven of our talented lawyers from around the country have been promoted in the...
Merger boosts Wellington presence
Specialist Wellington property and commercial law firm, Impact Legal, has amalgamated with Lane Neave,...
Change on the horizon for directors? Commission tackling review
A review of directors’ duties and liabilities will hopefully lead to clearer roles for...
Keeping it casual: dismissals during casual employment
Employers are still liable for unjustified dismissal, even when the employee in question is...
Proposed Holidays Act changes – will they get it right this time?
The Government’s proposal to reform the Holidays Act 2003 seems promising for employers, however...
AI and Intellectual Property: who owns what?
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is readily becoming a tool for the immediate creation of written...
Charting your medical career in New Zealand: an insider’s guide to success
Join us for a free one-hour webinar, aimed specifically for medical professionals who are...
Constructing change: inside New Zealand’s housing policy overhaul
The Government has released a five-point plan to tackle New Zealand’s housing crisis –...
Counting the cost of not acting in good faith
Failing to act in good faith can lead to hefty penalties for both employers...
Parental Leave – use it or lose it, baby!
A recent Employment Court decision highlights the importance of getting it right when applying...
Event: employment terminations
What happens after the termination of employment? Join our Christchurch-based employment law specialists for...
Employment law recognised by Doyle’s
Lane Neave along with its Managing Partner Andrew Shaw have been recognised by clients...
Kāinga Ora “not financially viable”; First Home Grants scrapped
The Government is initiating a significant overhaul of Kāinga Ora following the release of...
Pro bono work helping those impacted by stroke
Every 55 minutes, someone in New Zealand experiences a stroke. Lane Neave’s long-standing sponsorship...
Shining a light on bright-line changes
From July, the bright-line test for residential property will only apply if it is...
Sponsorship helping those in need
Our support of the Great Potentials Foundation has resulted in South Auckland families receiving...
Event: immigration deep dive
Let us help you navigate recent changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Programme...
CCCFA update: new insights into changes
Both lenders and customers are likely to welcome upcoming changes to the Credit Contracts...
Employers play crucial role in supporting employee mental health
An alarming number of suicides in New Zealand are work related and a recent...
Employer Accreditation Renewal: no longer a walk in the park
Many employers will have their employer accreditation status coming up for renewal in the...
Auckland office grows with new Partner
We recently welcomed Partner Joshua Jones to the Lane Neave team, further consolidating our...
Court of Appeal U-turn finds family carers are not employees
The long-running legal debate about funding family carers for disabled people has taken a...
Secret workplace recordings – legally in or out?
Secret workplace recordings can sometimes be used as evidence in employment cases – and...
Adventure and adrenaline – new regulations
New regulations have been introduced that broaden WorkSafe’s powers and impose new obligations on...
Employment Agreements: the devil is in the detail
The devil is in the detail when it comes to employment agreements, as highlighted...
Free webinar on changes to refreshed construction contract
Attend our free upcoming webinar on New Zealand’s most commonly used construction contract if...
Lane Neave shines in NZ Best Lawyers guide
Lane Neave features prominently in this year’s Best Lawyers in New Zealand guide, with...
Privacy law: breaches, non-compliance and out-of-date – OPC
Privacy law may sound drab. But if you look beyond the (sometimes boring) statutory...
Court of Appeal hears arguments in latest Uber decision
Union representatives rallied outside the Court of Appeal in Wellington last week in anticipation...
Should warnings be time-bound?
It is well established that a warning can be issued to an employee following...
Know your food: changes to allergen labelling
Food producers should be aware of recent updates to the Australia New Zealand Food...
Funding update: considering funding arrangements in 2024
With some New Zealand corporates coming under balance sheet/earning pressure arising from high inflation,...
Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015: how can schools and parents help our youths?
Navigating technology and digital communications can be tricky, partially because they’re changing faster than...
Is compensation for hurt and humiliation on the up?
In an Employment Court decision released last year, Chief Judge Inglis revised the bands...
How Criminal Charges Impact on an Employment Investigation
Former Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand (TWO) employee Mr Y has unsuccessfully...
Racial Harassment in the Workplace – When Group Banter Goes too Far
The Human Rights Review Tribunal (Tribunal) has ordered that an employer pay $10,000 in...
Accredited Employer Work Visas: guide to regional advertising
Many employers will be aware that the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) approach regarding multi-location...
Collective bargaining: are you required to participate?
In a determination released late last month, the Employment Relations Authority (Authority) found that...
Former employee who lost job over anti-vaccination Facebook post could have to pay $20,000
A former Wairarapa District Health Board (now Te Whatu Ora) employee may have to...
Employment law 24: what do employers need to know?
In-person seminars in Queenstown (1 March) and Greymouth (22 March) Our employment law specialists...
Workplace Law Webinar Series 2024
Join Lane Neave’s three Employment Law Partners Fiona McMillan (Auckland), Andy Bell (Wellington), Andrew...
Tribunal considers employee’s liability for sexual harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace has reared its ugly head in a recent Human...
Authority awards demoted teacher $10,000 in compensation
A Gisborne Boys High School (GBHS) teacher has succeeded in a personal grievance for...
Employee theft: your legal rights as an employer
Employee theft is an unfortunate reality that employers may have to tackle at some...
Lane Neave shines across 6 areas in Legal 500 for 2024
Lane Neave’s specialist teams and Partners have again been recognised as leading in their...
Seven Lane Neave lawyers promoted in New Year cycle
Lane Neave is delighted to announce the promotion of seven of its talented lawyers...
90-day trial periods available for all employers
On 21 December 2023, the Employment Relations (Trial Periods) Amendment Bill (the Bill) was...
Immigration: an early Christmas present & the Christmas present you may not want?
The early Christmas present: no median wage increase in February 2024 As many employers...
New WorkSafe guidelines to promote mentally healthy work
WorkSafe New Zealand has been consulting on new health and safety guidelines for persons...
Litigation brought against Z Energy in NZ’s first greenwashing case
Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand, along with Consumer New Zealand and the Environmental...
ComCom files charges against construction companies and directors in first criminal cartel prosecution
Last week the Commerce Commission announced that it has filed criminal charges against two...
90-day trials: a refresher
A switch in Government from left to right invariably results in a return of...
Lane Neave’s expertise on display in 2024 Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide
Lane Neave has again been recognised in the prestigious Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 Guide for...
ComCom releases guidance on collaborative sustainability initiatives
The Commerce Commission has released formal guidance for competitors seeking to collaborate in pursuit...
Post-election employment policies: what’s in and what’s out?
After several weeks of waiting since the 14 October election, on 24 November 2023...
A moderate minimum wage?
With the recent release of coalition agreements between National and ACT, and National and...
Supie collapse: the employment implications
Last month, online supermarket Supie went into voluntary administration, owing $2.1 million to more...
Government appoints new Minister for Space
New Zealand has a new Ministerial position, the Minister for Space.  The Hon Judith...
Privacy Commissioner to issue a Privacy Code of Practice on Biometrics
Last week the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) announced that it will issue...
Navigating Job Check delays – top 5 tips for employers
Many employers will be aware of the recent significant delays at the Immigration New...
Changes to Immigration New Zealand’s Green List in early 2024
From March 2024, 17 new roles will be added to Immigration New Zealand’s Green...
Court issues Whakaari/White Island Health and Safety conviction
Whakaari Island’s eruption back in December 2019 was catastrophic, killing 22 people and injuring...
Ch-ch-ch-changes (of Government): Fair Pay Agreements
While the official results of the election will not be published by the Electoral...
90-day trials are dead, long live the 90-day trial
Notwithstanding some differences between the New Zealand National Party, the Act Party and New...
Lane Neave Partners McMillan and Ryan shine in Elite Women 2023 list
Two of Lane Neave’s Partners, Fiona McMillan and Anna Ryan, have been recognised as...
A new government; a ‘new dawn’ for New Zealand immigration?
New Zealand has gone to the polls and voted for change. What will this...
Banking Partner Evelyn Jones achieves IFLR1000 APAC 2023 success
Lane Neave Banking and Finance Partner Evelyn Jones has again been recognised in the...
RDJ v SGF: proof and family violence leave
In our article in July, we discussed the Domestic Violence – Victims Protections Act...
The future of sick leave
As we leave the winter weather behind us and have recently observed Mental Health...
No more 90-day trial period for migrant workers
Safeguarding the rights of migrant workers has been a top priority for Immigration New...
A reminder about restraints: employees and independent contractors
Parties to an individual employment agreement, or an independent contractor agreement, may agree to...
Privacy Amendment Bill bridges gaps in New Zealand’s Privacy Act
Privacy is at the forefront of many minds, particularly in an age where vast...
90% of investigated businesses found non-compliant with workplace law regulations
New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recently confirmed to us under...
Minimising Cyber Security Risks
Cyber security breaches and cybercrime are at an all-time high. The techniques used are...
Tripping on drug policies
Drugs and alcohol pose a major health and safety risk to employers, particularly those...
Incorporated Societies Act 2022 – ready for takeoff
On 5 October 2023, the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act) and its Regulations...
Supreme Court clarifies King Salmon approach to interpreting directive higher order documents
The principles set out in the King Salmon Supreme Court decision have been the...
Double jeopardy? New approach to provision of false, misleading or withheld information in visa applications
On Friday 1 September Immigration New Zealand (INZ) released Amendment Circular No. 2023-26, a...
Looking for NZ residence?  Consider the transportation sector
Last month saw the end of an era, with the last Expression of Interest...
Government announces review of the CCCFA
On 8 August 2023, the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister announced increased protections for...
DIA Guidance on using Generative AI in the Public Sector
On 26 July 2023 the Department of Internal Affairs (in conjunction with Statistics NZ...
Therapeutic Products Bill enacted
Following the Health Select Committee’s majority report on 13 June, the Therapeutic Products Bill...
WATCH HERE: Key legal issues for crypto/web3 projects
Lane Neave Partners James Cochrane and Andrew Comer recently spent time with David Ding...
What will the employment law landscape look like post-election?
Date: Thursday 21 September 2023 Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm Venue: Lane Neave, Level 5, 141...
What is redundancy, anyway?
A lot of employers and employees wind up in the Employment Relations Authority (Authority)...
New bill proposes reintroducing grounds of KiwiSaver-based personal grievances
Recently, MP Dr Tracey McLellan’s Employment Relations (Protection for KiwiSaver Members) Amendment Bill (Bill)...
Lane Neave Partner shortlisted for international award
Lane Neave is pleased to announce that Corporate Partner, Anna Ryan, has been shortlisted...
FMA proposes standard condition to enhance operational and cyber resilience
On 12 July 2023 the Financial Markets Conduct Authority released a consultation paper on...
Privacy Commissioner consultation on biometrics
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has been looking at the regulation of biometrics...
Employment Relations (Restraint of Trade) Amendment Bill Update
The Employment Relations (Restraint of Trade) Amendment Bill (Bill) had its first reading on...
Skilled Migrant Category Residence – apply now or later?
Introduced in December 2003, the current Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) policy stands as New...
Lane Neave welcomes new Board Chair, Dr Thérèse Arseneau
Lane Neave has signalled its ongoing commitment to outstanding leadership and governance, with the...
Jail sentence for workplace cover-up of health and safety incident
A pair of brothers are currently being sentenced for covering up a workplace incident,...
H&S Representatives and Committees: new requirements for PCBUs
The Health and Safety at Work (Health and Safety Representatives and Committees) Amendment Act...
Under the influence: Partner James Cochrane named one of the year’s Most Influential Lawyers
Lane Neave is proud to reveal that one of its newest Partners, James Cochrane,...
Tikanga in employment relationships
The recent Employment Court decision in GF v Comptroller of the New Zealand Customs...
Government launches public consultation on Customer and Product Data Bill
Towards the end of June 2023, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)...
Records of Settlement and Capacity Issues
As we’ve noted in previous articles, once a Record of Settlement signed, it is...
Free workshops: Residence pathways for your parents
If you are a New Zealand citizen or resident, and considering applying for residence...
Employee requests to work from home
Employers must consider and respond to employee work-from-home requests as soon as possible, and...
How to Handle “Proof” of Family Violence
The Domestic Violence – Victims Protection Act 2018 (Act) provides minimum protections for family...
Time to Have Your Say On Digital Content
Public input is being sought on addressing digital content regulation following the release of...
Roadmap For NZ Space Sector
The New Zealand Space Agency (within the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment) has...
Plan To Enhance $7 Billion Tech Sector
The Government has released the final version of its plan to support and grow...
Terms and conditions: 10 key protections for suppliers
At the time of writing, New Zealand is in a technical recession. High rates...
Are Uber drivers employees?
The Court of Appeal granted leave last week for Raiser Operations BV and four...
Does it pay to invest in a payroll system?
The Holidays Act 2003 (Act) is notorious for its complexity, directing employers on what...
KiwiSaver information packs – who receives them?
Ironically, despite ‘information’ being in the name, current legislation around KiwiSaver information packs is...
Free Seminar: Commerce Act Refresher
Wellington session on Tuesday 25 July – register here   The Commerce Act seeks...
Am I eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa?
Join immigration law expert, Julia Strickett, Partner at Lane Neave, for a free online...
Update your employment agreements: extended time for personal grievance for sexual harassment
Further to our previous article, the Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for...
Fifty Shades of Green (List): immigration routes get a massive shakeup
Free seminars in Auckland, Christchurch & Wellington – June/July 2023 Hot off the press...
AI is here: what do NZ businesses need to be thinking about?
On 30 November 2022 ChatGPT was released by artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory, OpenAI,...
Five fantastic benefits of trade mark registration
What is a trade mark? A trade mark is a type of intellectual property...
Non-disparagement clauses: keep quiet and carry on
It’s not uncommon for someone to want to let off steam at the end...
WATCH HERE: From paint to pixels – TechWeek 2023 with James Cochrane
On 18 May 2023 Lane Neave Partner James Cochrane joined BlockchainNZ’s Alison Mackie and...
Steel yourself for a restructure
New Zealand Steel Limited went to bat in the Employment Court in an attempt...
An Introduction to the Commerce Act for HR Professionals
Free seminars in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown The Commerce Act seeks to ensure...
You’ve resolved an employment dispute. Now what?
Where parties to an employment relationship have resolved a dispute outside of the Employment...
Therapeutic Products Bill currently before Parliamentary Select Committee
Background A new regulatory framework for therapeutic products is currently being considered by the...
Australia’s Nature Repair Market Bill tipped to potentially unlock a $137 billion biodiversity market
In 2022, a ‘State of the Environment Report 2021’ (the Report) was released by...
New bill proposes to make wage theft a criminal offence
You wouldn’t steal a car, you wouldn’t steal a handbag, you wouldn’t steal a...
Five Lane Neave Partners named in ‘Best Lawyers’ 2024 NZ guide
Partners from several of Lane Neave’s national teams have again been recognised in the...
Criminal background checks – when is it appropriate to use them?
Information about a job applicant’s criminal history is personal information under the Privacy Act...
Privacy Commissioner exploring a Biometrics Code of Practice
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster is currently exploring whether a privacy Code of Practice is...
Disciplinary process meets medical incapacity
The Employment Relations Authority has recently determined a matter involving a highly complex factual...
Queenstown Workplace Law Seminar – Sick leave, long-term illness and mental health: an employer’s obligations
Date: Thursday 4 May 2023 Time: 9.00am-10.30am Venue: The Rees Hotel, 377 Frankton Road,...
Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill Update
Over the previous 6 months we have been keeping you updated on the progress...
Do as the locals do
We often get enquiries from Australian clients, wanting to quickly convert their Australian employment...
Post-study Work Visa issued for study “outside” New Zealand during pandemic
In late 2022, an international student who had just completed a Master of Engineering...
The what, how and why of distressed M&A
In this article, we explore some of the key considerations, and legal issues, associated...
NBE Bill: what are the other key changes proposed?
Further to our previous articles (on the framework, effects management and Māori involvement), this...
Resource management reforms aim for greater Māori involvement
The resource management reforms proposed by the Natural and Built Environment Bill (NBE Bill)...
NBE Bill introduces changes to effects management approach
The reforms proposed by the Natural and Built Environment Bill (NBE Bill) and the...
National Planning Framework provides guidance on proposed environmental outcomes  
The focus of the new Natural and Built Environment Bill (NBE Bill) and the...
LISTEN HERE: Crypto podcast with James Cochrane
What happens to your crypto if your relationship ends? Lane Neave Partner James Cochrane...
Nothing boring about digital assets and intellectual property
Alongside the world-wide takeover of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), has come a range...
Pay secrecy: can employers prevent employees from disclosing their salary?
For a long time, how much one’s colleagues earn has been a subject shrouded...
He said, she said – what do I say?
Employment investigations can be daunting. You’re having to speak with a distressed complainant, a...
Considering a restructure? Here is a refresher
With the continued financial downturn this year, companies may be looking to make changes...
Customer online reviews: avoiding Fair Trading Act pitfalls
In recognition of the weight consumers place on online reviews, in recent years, both...
Lane Neave achieves a New Zealand first collective bargaining authorisation 
Lane Neave’s Competition and Consumer Protection team recently achieved a resounding success for New...
Availability clauses have claws: proceed with caution
The recent Employment Court case of Stewart v AFFCO New Zealand Ltd NZEmpC...
Workplace Law Seminars: Queenstown and Wellington
Join our Employment Law Partners for two in-person, free seminars in Queenstown and Wellington...
Minimum wage increase: a double-edged sword
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins recently announced an increase to the minimum wage, effective 1...
Lifelaw Newsletter: February 2023
At different points in your life, you will need clear, sound advice from legal...
Workplace Law Webinar Series 2023
Join Lane Neave’s three Employment Law Partners Fiona McMillan (Auckland), Andy Bell (Wellington), Andrew...
Risks to industry associations in the current economic climate
With economic trading conditions in New Zealand continuing to deteriorate and inflation currently at...
Do I have to pay employees during a natural disaster?
The recent flooding in Auckland and the upper North Island has left employers with...
Auckland flooding is reminder of need to understand how to make an insurance claim
Not the summer weather anyone was hoping for – Auckland and the upper North...
Employment Court awards highest penalty amounts in history
Where an employer breaches minimum employment standards, penalties may be awarded against it by...
Three new Partners join Lane Neave
Lane Neave is delighted to announce that three new Partners have joined the firm...
What does the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022 mean for you?
All Societies must re-register by April 2026 or will be struck off the register...
Employment law 2023: what lies ahead?
Welcome to 2023! We wish to take this opportunity to give you a bit of...
Lane Neave promotes seven talented lawyers in New Year cycle
Lane Neave is delighted to announce the promotion of seven of its excellent lawyers...
Bill proposing more time to raise a personal grievance for sexual harassment awaits third reading
In October 2021, MP Deborah Russell’s Member’s Bill, the ‘Employment Relations (Extended Time for...
Lane Neave ranked across broad spread of areas in Legal 500
Lane Neave’s specialist teams and Partners have again been recognised as leading in their...
Lane Neave ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 Guide across four practice areas
Lane Neave has again been recognised in the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 Guide for leading firms...
Let’s talk: employment law podcast – proposed insurance protection scheme
In this episode of our Employment Law podcast, Managing Partner Andrew Shaw and Partner...
Lane Neave Partners McMillan and Scott named Elite Women 2022 by NZ Lawyer
Lane Neave is proud to reveal that two of its Partners, Fiona McMillan and...
Fair Pay Agreements Factsheet: Overview of the process
Fair Pay Agreements (FPA) are sector-wide agreements that contain minimum employment terms for all...
The Long Read: Keeping up with Crypto Influencer Liability
Social media has become an incredibly effective marketing tool for all types of businesses....
Workplace law webinar: Fair Pay Agreements
The Fair Pay Agreements Act came into force on 1 December 2022. in this...
Lane Neave named APAC Firm of the Year at Global Women in Business Law Awards 2022
Lane Neave has won the supreme award at the Global Women in Business Law...
Fair Pay Agreements Regulations – a help or a hindrance?
The Fair Pay Agreements Act (Act) comes into force today, 1 December, and will...
Let’s talk: employment law podcast – Fair Pay Agreements Act
In this episode of Let’s Talk, Fiona McMillan and Elisabeth Giles discuss the –...
Copyright in the employment relationship: made by you, but is it yours?
In a world where content is king, intellectual property (IP) rights rule supreme. So,...
Does reputational harm justify an employment non-publication order?
In the Employment Relations Authority (Authority) and Employment Court (Court), unless a party to...
1 December 2022: Fair Pay Agreements System set to Kick-off
The Fair Pay Agreements Bill passed its third reading on 26 October 2022 after...
Employment Court delivers second ruling on Uber drivers’ status
Early last year the Employment Court found that a driver for Uber, Mr Arachchige,...
What is an Enduring Power of Attorney and why would I need one?
Often confused with a ‘standard’ or ‘general’ power of attorney (in which someone appoints...
Time to play Parent Category Bingo
At the same time as announcing the reopening of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)...
Restricting restraints – new bill seeks to limit restraints of trade
Employers have long used restraints of trade to safeguard their business by limiting an...
Reopening of Skilled Migrant Category – Going Once, Twice…
The suspension of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) in 2020 caused migrants both onshore...
Screen Industry Workers Act: one law to rule them all?
The much-anticipated Screen Industry Workers Act (Act) received Royal Assent on 30 September 2022...
A disincentive to being diligent: accredited employers and their disclosure obligations
Many New Zealand employers have spent valuable time and money developing sophisticated HR and...
You’re an employer with limited funds. Can you use fixed-term agreements?
Strict rules govern the formation of fixed-term agreements. An employee and an employer may...
Keeping your ducks in a row: ensuring an immigration compliant workforce
As an employer, you are responsible for ascertaining that all your employees have the...
Lane Neave named New Zealand Firm of the Year by Women in Business Law APAC
Lane Neave has won the supreme New Zealand award at the Women in Business...
COVID-19 Protection Framework ends
At 11.59pm on Monday 12 September 2022, the COVID-19 Protection Framework came to an...
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day: how do I pay employees and can I make them work?
The Government has announced that on Monday 26 September 2022, New Zealand will observe...
Stormy winter is reminder of need to understand how to make an insurance claim
What a winter it has been! Our thoughts go out to all who have...
Lane Neave joins prestigious International Commercial Law Alliance
Lane Neave has joined the International Commercial Law Alliance (ICLA), a strategic group of...
Three Partner promotions announced by Lane Neave
Lane Neave is delighted to announce the elevation of three solicitors to the Partnership...
Further CCCFA changes on the horizon
On 2 August 2022, the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced that additional...
Ruling clarifies wholesale offers advertising regime
Over the past few years property developers have increasingly relied upon wholesale financing to...
Migrant Check: top 5 things you need to know
The Migrant Check is the third and final stage in the three-step process of...
“Green List” limitations: when the green light turns red
You’ve found a fantastic migrant to bring into New Zealand. They are highly experienced...
Trusts: are they still a good vehicle for managing assets?
“Trusts aren’t really useful anymore” is a phrase that has been thrown around often...
Employees covertly recording conversations; process overrides substance again
In an era where employers and employees are becoming increasingly attuned to matters of...
New IRD information reporting requirements for trusts
The IRD have clarified new reporting requirements for income generating Trusts from 1 April...
The Birth of a Deal
In New Zealand, under the duty of good faith, employers proposing to make a...
Green light for green list? Details released on Skilled Residence Pathways
On 11 May 2022 the New Zealand Government announced a new “Green List” that...
Interim NZS 3910 pushed back
As you may be aware, Standards New Zealand Te Mana Tautikanga o Aotearoa (Standards...
The future is four?
Stuff reports that from 1 August, 20 businesses across different industries throughout Australia and...
Have your children asked for financial assistance with their first home purchase?
The bank of “Mum and Dad” has become an increasingly popular option for first...
Job Check – top 5 things you need to know
The Job Check is the second stage in the three-step process of securing a...
Incorporated Societies Act 2022: an update
By way of an update to our recent articles, the Ministry of Business, Innovation...
What the new CoFI regime means for financial institutions
The Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Act 2022 (CoFI Act) received Royal assent...
Government relaxes 2021 CCCFA Changes
The Government has recently made some practical (and much welcomed) amendments to the responsible...
Casual employee holiday pay: get it right or pay it twice
It is well known that employers can pay genuinely casual employees their holiday pay...
Active Investor Plus Visa – High Stakes Poker
On Wednesday 19 July the New Zealand Government made a bold move in departing...
Supreme Court confirms courts can consider relevant social and cultural evidence
Cases in which one or more of the parties have a cultural background which...
IRD provides incorrect advice re parental leave payments
The provision of incorrect advice from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) regarding a mother’s...
MfE releases draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity
The Ministry for the Environment has now released an exposure draft of the updated...
Sexual harassment: guidance from the ERA
A question we often get from employee clients wishing to raise a claim for...
Pregnancy and paid parental leave protections
When the pitter-patter of tiny feet is announced there are several things to consider....
Mid-year promotion for 8 stellar solicitors
Lane Neave is delighted to announce the promotion of eight of our top-performing solicitors....
New laws tackle objectionable online content
Two Bills dealing with objectionable online content, which we have discussed previously, have now...
MBIE report reviews Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act
The scheduled three-year review of the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 (OSHAA)...
New Retail Payment System Act will benefit merchants and consumers
On 13 May 2022 the Retail Payment System Act 2022 (which was introduced towards...
Bill would establish trust framework for digital identity services
UPDATE: On 5 April 2023 the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Act received Royal...
Anti-modern slavery legislation: a reality for New Zealand
When individuals consider the term ‘slavery’, its often associated with historic events that have...
Workplace Law Workshop Series 2022 – Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland
Following the success of events in Queenstown and Christchurch in May, the Lane Neave...
Beware the unlicensed workplace investigator
Where an employee has made a complaint about workplace conduct, employers are obliged to...
Can individuals be held liable for unjustified dismissal?
Earlier this year, we published an article outlining how individuals can be held personally...
Freshwater Amendment Report recommends changes to wetland regulations
Last month we provided an overview of the challenges faced by operators navigating the...
Is your business ready for the new Unfair Contract Terms rules?
Businesses should be aware of the new laws coming into force that prohibit unfair...
It’s good to talk: our Employment Law podcast series is back
With so much going on in the world of employment law, we are reviving...
Bill proposes time extension for personal grievance for sexual harassment
On Wednesday 18 May 2022 the Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for...
Navigating New Zealand’s wetland protection regulations
The National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F) and the National Policy Statement for Freshwater...
High Court grants application to renew lease
In the recent High Court decision Kuoch v Ganda, the Court granted an application...
New whistleblower framework receives royal assent
The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill (Bill) that was introduced into Parliament last...
Annual Building Code update underway
In case you missed it, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has...
Payment Claims and Payment Schedules under the Construction Contracts Act
To facilitate regular and timely payments between the parties to a construction contract, the...
Unit Titles Act amendments: apportioning running costs
Amendments to the Unit Titles Act 2010 were passed into law this month, May...
No such thing as a free lunch? Unpacking the employment status of unpaid interns
In the lead-up to Easter, allegations were made regarding the mistreatment of interns and...
To resign, or not to resign?
Picture this. You are trying to conduct a performance management meeting with your employee....
Avoiding personal liability as a director
Setting up your business as an incorporated company is an effective way to reduce...
Incorporated Societies Act 2022: a new beginning
Some nine years after the Law Commission released its report “A New Act for...
What the PRC’s new privacy law means for you
Late last year the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)...
‘Best Lawyers’ celebrates four Lane Neave Partners in 2023 edition
Four of Lane Neave’s Partners have been recognised in The Best Lawyers in New...
Is positive discrimination lawful in New Zealand?
In 2021, the BBC advertised for a trainee position “only open to Black, Asian...
Electronic Signatures – Are they enforceable?
New Zealand law provides guidance for the use of e-signatures on a variety of...
COVID-19 vaccination requirements: what do employers do now?
This week the Government made changes to vaccination requirements in the workplace, removing some...
New IoT Cybersecurity Laws proposed in UK
The UK Government introduced the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill (PSTI) to Parliament...
Act aims to improve housing supply and simplify consent process
On 20 December 2021 the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment...
While you were sleeping
Over the last decade or so, there have been a string of cases colloquially...
Considering taking on a flatmate? Here’s what you need to know
Taking on a flatmate can be a way for owner-occupiers of residential properties to...
Fair Pay Agreements Bill introduced to Parliament
The promise of a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) System was announced as part of...
Insurance scheme for no-fault employment termination proposed
New Zealand is currently one of the few countries in the OECD that does...
Can an employee be fired for protesting outside of work hours?
Earlier this month during the anti-mandate protests in Wellington a former Northland school teacher...
One door opens and another closes – border opening with a reset “twist”
In the last week or so a number of major announcements/changes have been announced...
WCC can undertake earthquake strengthening to properties at owners’ cost
Late last year in Wellington City Council v Lakhi Maa Limited the High Court...
Authority declines interim reinstatement claim for unvaccinated employees
Whilst the recent High Court decision of Yardley v Minister for Workplace Relations and...
Pause for thought
Full disclosure, I talk about menopause in this piece. If that makes you squirm,...
Commerce Commission seeks input on residential building supplier study
In November last year, the Government tasked the Commerce Commission (ComCom) with undertaking a...
Workplace Law Webinar Series 2022
Join Lane Neave’s three Employment Law Partners Fiona McMillan (Auckland), Andy Bell (Wellington), Andrew...
Court sets aside police and defence vaccine mandates – should employers be concerned?
On 25 February 2022, the High Court released its judgment in Yardley v Minister...
To Pay, or Not to Pay? Ensuring your Volunteers are actually Volunteers
This Friday (4 March 2022) concludes the end of a fascinating two-week Employment Court...
Google Ads agreements found to breach cartel laws
A recent decision of the High Court has confirmed that competitors that coordinate with...
Michelle Needham named NZ Lawyer Rising Star
Lane Neave is delighted to be able to announce that one of our newest...
Employers: know your obligations or risk personal liability
The Court of Appeal’s finding in Labour Inspector v Southern Taxis Limited highlights the...
COVID-19: What do I do if my employee has to self-isolate and cannot work from home?
Where employees have been advised to self-isolate in accordance with public health guidance and...
Meet the partners; trio of lawyers bolsters Lane Neave’s national offering
Lane Neave is delighted to have added three new partners to the partnership in...
Investment-based visas – border entry timing
The announcements made yesterday were favourable to a significant cohort of New Zealand citizens...
Five-stage border “opening” settings
On 3 February 2022 the New Zealand Government has finally announced its staged process...
The Tova O’Brien case: what you need to know
Following the conclusion of a three-day hearing, the determination from the Employment Relations Authority...
I see red, I see red, I see red
On 20 January 2022 the Government addressed how New Zealand would respond to an...
‘Whistleblowers Bill’ offers clearer and more effective reporting regime
The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill (Bill) was introduced in June last year...
Rent relief amendment to have far-reaching implications
The COVID-19 epidemic has caused significant financial hardship for businesses forced to close their...
Lane Neave recognised in latest Legal 500 rankings
Lane Neave’s specialist teams and Partners have again been featured in The Legal 500...
Waikato DHB Privacy Breach
Alongside the legislation, the courts have taken a strong stance against the un-consensual use...
Mandatory privacy breach reporting one year on – Privacy Commissioner Insight Report 2021
On 1 December 2020, the Privacy Act 2020 (Act) introduced some new changes to...
Lane Neave ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022 Guide
Lane Neave has been recognised in the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022 Guide for leading firms...
New Year promotions for seven Lane Neave solicitors
Lane Neave is delighted to announce the promotion of seven of its talented lawyers...
Some new resident visa holders now cleared for entry
In a further change announced on 9 December related to the continued fall-out associated...
Vaccine mandates: consultation
The Employment Court in WXN v Auckland International Airport Limited recently overturned an Employment Relations...
Extension of border entry for some resident visa holders
In our recent article on ‘Reconnecting’ New Zealand to the World we covered the...
It’s time for WorkSafe to work harder to protect mental health
WorkSafe recently did something quite novel: it issued an improvement notice to Te Aroha...
OPC releases position on biometrics regulation
On 7 October 2021, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) released its paper...
‘Reconnecting’ New Zealand to the World from 1 May 2022
On Wednesday 24 November the New Zealand Government made the long-awaited announcements around timing...
Bill proposes to extend time for personal grievance for sexual harassment
On 21 October 2021 MP Deborah Russell’s Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance...
The 2021 Resident Visa – finer policy review
Immigration New Zealand have recently released the full policy that applies to the new...
Court of Appeal provides welcome clarity on discretionary payments under Holidays Act
Employers can now breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to discretionary payments...
Australian Health Department charged for H&S breaches leading to COVID outbreak
On 22 October 2021, the Health Department from the Victorian State in Australia, faced...
Traffic light system and mandating vaccinations in the workplace
Employment law in the COVID-19 space is moving at warp speed, and we are...
Discussion Document: ‘Towards a Digital Strategy for Aotearoa’
The ‘Towards a Digital Strategy for Aotearoa’ Discussion Document was released on 6 October...
Adapting the legal landscape for UAVs
In an earlier article we wrote about the Ministry of Transport’s Discussion Document Enabling Drone...
Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill introduced
On 29 September 2021, the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill (Bill) was introduced...
Immigration news round-up
It’s been another interesting week of developments in the world of immigration and so...
COVID-19: risking it all
There has been much speculation about COVID-19 vaccine mandates for health and childcare workers...
No jab, no job: what does the authority have to say?
So far, we have three decisions from the Employment Relations Authority (Authority) on whether...
Boutique Wellington law firm to join Lane Neave
Wellington-based boutique dispute resolution firm, Bell & Co., is to join national law firm,...
Residence visas for all – kicking the can down the road
In (another) shocking change of direction, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have released high-level details...
Small trade contracts to be subject to the unfair contract terms regime
On 16 August 2021 the Fair Trading Amendment Bill received Royal Assent. Now the Fair Trading...
Ban on unconscionable conduct in trade to take effect in 2022
Last month the Fair Trading Amendment Bill passed into law. Now the Fair Trading...
Employers and privacy: first compliance notice issued
In a move that is a stark reminder to employers of their obligations when...
Vaccinations in the workplace
New Zealand’s current approach to the COVID-19 pandemic is to stick with its elimination...
Lane Neave sponsors prestigious Keystone Trust
Lane Neave is delighted to have committed to sponsorship of Keystone Trust, supporting the important...
Lane Neave nominated for three New Zealand law awards
Lane Neave and one of its Senior Associates have been named in three categories...
Proposed limits on artificial intelligence
On 22 April 2021, the European Commission proposed that the European Parliament and the...
Navigating a competitive business purchase process
We continue to see and hear that it is a “seller’s market” in the...
Here we go again, again – lockdown 2021 employment considerations
With the arrival of the COVID-19 Delta-variant in the community the country has swiftly...
Immigration confusion – a sustained loss of traction
Many of you may have questioned why you have not heard from us for...
Are delays in the hearing of sexual harassment cases affecting access to justice?
If a person has been sexually harassed during their employment, they can elect to...
New frontier in contractual interpretation
The recent Supreme Court decision Bathurst Resources Ltd v L & M Coal Holdings Ltd (Bathurst...
Fatigue in the workplace
As we proceed well into the throes of winter it’s that time of year...
Proposed Otago RPS notified – submit by 3 September
Otago Regional Council (ORC) has notified its Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement (RPS), which...
10 solicitors move up in mid-year promotions
Lane Neave is delighted to announce 10 mid-year promotions of our top-performing solicitors. The...
No jab, no job: authority to determine justifiability
It is arguably the (employment law) question of 2021: can employers terminate their employees...
Employment Law reform: what’s changed and what’s on the horizon?
2021 is shaping up to be a big year for changes to employment law....
Buying or investing in New Zealand business: update
In news welcomed by overseas businesses looking to expand into New Zealand, the Government...
Private Wire Power Purchase Agreements explained
While Private Wire Power Purchase Agreements (PWPPA) have enjoyed popularity overseas, they have to...
Crossing the ditch: it’s not all bubbly  
Ever since the long-promised Trans-Tasman travel bubble became a reality on 19 April 2021,...
Overseas investment regime update
Over the past few years, we have seen broad reforms of the New Zealand...
24 July 2021 – save the date
Employers and employees finally have a concrete date to work with. The Holidays (Increasing...
Room for improvement to parental leave laws
As I guiltily drop my 14-month-old off in the “Crawlers Room” at preschool (she...
10 days of sick leave: it’s official
The Holidays (Increasing Sick leave) Amendment Bill has now been passed, officially increasing employees’...
Twists and turns – Mainzeal provides important lessons to directors
The judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in the ongoing proceedings between the...
Fair Pay Agreements, coming soon to a workplace near you
On 7 May 2021, the Government announced the much anticipated Fair Pay Agreement (FPA)...
New public holiday: Matariki
There has been some controversy over Labour’s newest addition to the public holidays list:...
Case update: visa holders must be treated in good faith by their employers
A recent Employment Relations Authority (Authority) case has highlighted the importance of employers acting...
D-Day for employers of migrant workers
Today, INZ has released some further information in relation to the Accredited Employer Work...
Rounding up the change(s)
We’ve been getting queries from employers about any major legislative changes they need to...
Tighter rules proposed for freedom camping
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has released a discussion document outlining...
Security officers – a vulnerable employee
The Government has passed an order to include certain employees who provide security services...
Legislation addressing harmful online content
Two bills before Parliament which address harmful online content have recently had their first...
Hyndman v Walker – invasion of privacy
New Zealand’s tort for invasion of privacy was recently brought to the Court of...
Enabling drones integration
On 6 April 2021, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) released its Discussion Document Enabling...
Changes to California’s Consumer Privacy Act
While California is far afield from New Zealand, the recent expansion and strengthening of...
Four Lane Neave Partners named in ‘Best Lawyers’ guide
Four Lane Neave Partners have been honoured in the 2022 edition of The Best...
A cast-iron case for medical incapacity
We often hear about employers attempting to terminate an employment relationship by way of...
Overseas investment update
In these times of change and innovation, overseas investment will play a crucial part...
Buying or selling a business? The new purchase price allocation rules you need to know.
If you are planning on buying or selling a business this year, you need...
Forcing the point of vaccinations
With a rather significant portion of New Zealanders (about one in four) expressing reservations...
Common sense at last
Certainty, transparency and practicality; these are the straplines of the Holidays Act Taskforce’s Report...
Daze no more: Holidays Act 2003 set to receive a much needed revamp
The Government has officially accepted the Holidays Act Taskforce’s (Taskforce) recommendation to overhaul the...
Payment available to employers if employee cannot work and is waiting for COVID-19 test results
From 9 February 2021 the COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment became available for businesses to...
Legislation update: proposed increase in sick leave entitlements
In line with their election promises, the Government has introduced the Holidays (Increasing Sick...
Upcoming workplace law workshop series
Lane Neave’s highly regarded workplace law specialists will be providing invaluable insights into the...
Time, space and the meaning of ‘ordinary weekly pay’
In the Court of Appeal case of Labour Inspector v Tourism Holdings Limited ...
FMA signals renewed focus on financial product advertising
16 February 2021 is the deadline for submissions on the planned Guidance Note from...
Banking and finance: updates to the CCCFA, Business Debt Hibernation Regime and Business Finance Guarantee Scheme
‘Fit and Proper’ certification All providers of consumer credit (except certain exempt providers, for...
Lane Neave welcomes new Partner
National law firm Lane Neave is pleased to announce the addition of a new...
Lane Neave recognised in The Legal 500
The specialist expertise of six Lane Neave teams has been recognised in the annual...
New approach to vacant sites in Christchurch’s CBD
Christchurch City Council has approved the implementation of a proposed new approach to the...
Employment Court releases important COVID-19 decision
Were employees who did not perform work during Covid-19 entitled to receive minimum wage...
Lane Neave recognised in Annual Global Legal Guide
Four Lane Neave Partners and two teams have been recognised in the 2021 Chambers...
Criminal penalties for anticompetitive collusion – Lane Neave publishes free guide to upcoming law changes
Legislation to criminalise anticompetitive collusion – the Commerce (Criminalisation of Cartels) Amendment Act 2019...
Privacy Act 2020 now in force
The Privacy Act 2020 (Act) came into effect on 1 December 2020. For the...
Single use plastic bags are gone – what’s next?
Following the ban of single use plastic shopping bags in 2019, the Government (through...
Offering employees shares in your company? Read on
Traditionally the preserve of tech start-ups and large corporates, we are seeing employee share...
The events of 2020: another reminder that foundation documents matter for your business
Not many people would say that 2020 has been a smooth run. For business...
Election Results 2020: what Employment Law changes can we expect to see in the upcoming term?
On 17 October 2020 the election results were announced for New Zealand, presenting a...
Are current employment laws upholding Tikanga Māori in the workplace?
Lawyer Shelley Kopu gave a moving address at the recent Employment Law Conference in...
Looming increase in median wage
In a recent article published by Lane Neave, we addressed the fact that Statistics...
Debut homes: a warning for directors of financially distressed businesses
The very recent and eagerly waited Supreme Court decision of Debut Homes Limited (in...
A clear warning for directors of financially distressed businesses
The recent and significant Supreme Court decision of Debut Homes Limited (in liquidation) v...
Privacy law seminars – your world is changing
Parliament has now passed the Privacy Act 2020 and there will be a number...
Potential changes to median wage rate
Most readers will be aware that in terms of current immigration policy, the median...
Ready, willing, but were they able?
With the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment overrun with employment disputes arising out...
What will the landscape of employment law look like post election?
With the election looming we thought we would take a quick look at what...
Employment relationship problem update
We have been advised that MBIE’s Mediation Services are inundated with mediation applications as...
‘Other critical worker’ exception recalibration: don’t be fooled!
On 11 September Immigration New Zealand (INZ) released some policy changes in relation to...
Charities: keeping an eye on your charitable purpose
A recent decision of the Court of Appeal has again brought a focus to...
Directors’ fees and benefits – it’s all about fairness
When authorising directors’ fees or other benefits such as salaries or loans, the Board...
Let’s Talk: Employment Law podcast EP5
As you may have already seen, our employment law team here at Lane Neave...
The importance of due diligence in farm purchases
The importance of thorough due diligence when purchasing a valuable farming property was recently...
Lane Neave welcomes back Anna Ryan
This week we welcome back Lane Neave partner, Anna Ryan, who returns to our...
Lane Neave sponsors Canterbury Tech Summit
Lane Neave is delighted to announce that it will once again be sponsoring Canterbury...
Court of Appeal determines losses caused by 2011 earthquakes not a “series of losses”
The Court of Appeal has recently confirmed that damage caused to a home by...
Privacy update: COVID-19 and contact tracing
Today, 24 August 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the current Alert Level restrictions...
More support for business under the government’s BFG scheme
The Minister of Finance yesterday announced a number of changes to the Business Finance...
Here we go again…
With Auckland in Level 3 and the rest of the country in Level 2,...
COVID-19 support still available for employers
In light of New Zealand being placed back into level 2 lockdown on 11...
Opinion: considerations for employers when employees want to continue to work from home after lockdown
As the COVID-19 lockdown hit and New Zealand morphed into what felt like a...
Privacy alert: COVID-19 contact tracing
At 11:59am Wednesday 12 August 2020 the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Levels 3...
A proposed overhaul of the ‘.nz’ domain system
Last month, InternetNZ, which administers the .nz domain name system, released an Options Report,...
Consumer data right – have your say
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is seeking feedback on a discussion document...
Schrems II – EU-US cross border data transfers
On 16 July 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued its...
Algorithm charter – a world first!
The New Zealand Government has released its Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa New Zealand (Charter)....
Opportunistic but not unlawful: when minority shareholders leverage their position for a bigger piece of the pie
The Court of Appeal has recently found that it was opportunistic, but not unlawful,...
Trusts Act 2019 – your changing obligations
The impacts of the new Trusts Act 2019 are significant for your obligations and...
Let’s Talk: Employment Law podcast
“Let’s Talk: Employment Law” is a video podcast discussing the latest in New Zealand...
Immigration Monthly Newsletter – July 2020 edition
July 2020 newsletter In this edition: Assessment of “family” under new border criteria Some...
Privacy Law seminars – Your world is changing
Parliament has now passed the Privacy Act 2020 and there will be a number...
Changes to Essential Skills work visas – effective 27 July 2020
A few weeks ago, when the Minister of Immigration was discussing some proposed changes...
Unenforceable penalty or protecting a legitimate interest?
Now is a good time to review any damages clauses contained in your commercial...
Are you ready for the new Financial Services legislation?
On 25 June 2020 the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released...
Online entrepreneurs: legal tips for your e-commerce business
Ever evolving technology solutions designed to connect businesses to a global customer base mean...
Resource Management and Commercial Property: Winter Newsletter
In this edition: Overseas investment changes Tiny home or large vehicle? Resource Management Act...
Introducing Steffan Ronald
Prior to lockdown, our Commercial Property team welcomed its newest Christchurch-based team member. We...
Proposed amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality
Since the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) were introduced in 2004 there...
Resource management reform update
The Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 (Amendment Act) received the Royal Assent on 30...
Tiny home or large vehicle? The latest from the District Court
There is currently no nation-wide regulation of the building and occupation of tiny homes. ...
Overseas Investment Act changes come into force
Lane Neave’s Corporate team published an article on our website on 18 May 2020...
Six-month extension for employer-assisted work visas: the nitty-gritty
In what is widely thought to be the final act of this nature, the...
ERA and the Wage Subsidy
Valerie Raggett, Catherine Talbot, Francelle Burns, Nicholas Swan, Helena Nathan and Michelle Hood v...
Lane Neave announce mid year promotions
Lane Neave is delighted to announce four mid-year promotions of our top-performing solicitors. Rebecca...
New privacy laws come into force in December
New privacy laws are now set to come into force on 1 December 2020...
Selection criteria when restructuring: the do’s and don’ts
The employment law consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are inseparable from the financial consequences....
What you need to know about the Wage Subsidy Extension
As you may be aware the Government announced that a Wage Subsidy Extension will...
Entry through the closed border for “critical workers”
INZ has now released its full detailed policy on the requirements that must be...
New border entry criteria from Thursday 18 June 2020
In our most recent article we predicted that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) would make...
Temporary law change impacts commercial leases
Introduction In the fallout of COVID-19 and Government mandated lockdowns and restrictions, many businesses...
50 Shades of Green: classification and disclosure requirements for green bonds
As we enter into a post COVID-19 New Zealand, alternative investment options may begin...
Concerned about a company’s solvency? What are your options?
Solvency is a key consideration for many directors in the current environment.  If you...
Avatar did it – here’s wow you can too – economic border exception process explained
As many readers of this article are aware the New Zealand Government has recently...
Lane Neave advises MIE Pay on Australian listing
Lane Neave has advised financial and technology company MIE Pay Limited on the New...
Privacy law update: contact tracing and recent High Court case
There have been two recent notable privacy developments.  The first concerns contact tracing obligations...
Builders beware, changes won’t negate the need for all consents
The Government has reported that the requirement for building consents under the Building Act...
Leave without pay could save the day
As many employers face the possibility of making employees redundant, the question of placing...
Immigration update for employers and HR professionals
Webinar: “Immigration update for employers and HR professionals.” Thursday 4 June 2020 12.00 –...
Immigration May Newsletter
In this edition: Tough new labour market testing guidelines for work visa applications Border...
Tough new labour market testing guidelines for work visa applications
As predicted in our recent articles, webinars and comments, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has...
Insolvency and corporate law relief becomes law
On 15 May 2020 the COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Act 2020 (Act)...
Changes to the Overseas Investment Act
On 13 May 2020, the Governments announced fast tracked changes to strengthen the Overseas...
Update to insolvency laws – Insolvency Review Working Group
For businesses, creditors, and debtors it is now more important than ever to have...
Funding update: preparing for the ‘new normal’
In our recent update (see here), we discussed a number of practical matters for...
Post lockdown return to work and recruitment
WEBINAR “Post lockdown return to work and recruitment.” Wednesday 27 May 2020 10.00 –...
Student visas: a possible “lifeline” for former work visa holders
As the economic impact of COVID-19 continues to widen, many work visa holders in...
Lane Neave update as we move to Alert Level 2
The Government’s announcement regarding the move progressively from COVID-19 Alert Level Three to Alert...
Business as (un)usual: advancing M&A in a COVID-19 crisis
The current COVID-19 crisis has impacted the M&A market both domestically and internationally as...
Regulatory response – financial services and COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in particularly turbulent circumstances for listed issuers and those...
Unbridled power – Immigration (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Bill
The Minister of Immigration has introduced a Bill into Parliament today that proposes to...
Forced into a bubble – the law behind lockdown
In 2006 the threat of a human outbreak of avian influenza or ‘bird flu’...
New Zealand visa and immigration pathways: all you need to know
Webinar: “New Zealand visa and immigration pathways: all you need to know” Friday 8...
Processing priority of visa applications
On 17 April 2020, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that, as of 16 April...
Removal and appointment of trustees
This article is the fourth in our series on the new Trusts Act 2019...
Lane Neave employment team recognised by Doyle’s
Lane Neave’s national employment law team has been recognised in The Doyle’s Guide 2020...
Contracting through uncertainty
With New Zealand set to come out of level 4 lockdown next week, many...
Alert Level 3: What it means for your workplace
The Prime Minister announced yesterday, that at 11:59pm on Monday 27 April 2020, New...
Coming out of lockdown – where to from here for employers?
Webinar “Coming out of lockdown – where to from here for employers?” Wednesday 29...
Immigration April Newsletter
In this edition: Immigration New Zealand start processing some standard visa applications A small...
What does COVID-19 Alert Level 3 mean for commercial leases
Following the Government’s announcement that the COVID-19 alert level will drop from Alert Level...
Government support for commercial landlords and tenants
Since the Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown commenced in New Zealand commercial landlords and tenants...
Immigration New Zealand start processing some standard visa applications
On 17 April 2020 Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that they are now able...
Resource Management Law Autumn Newsletter
We hope this Autumn 2020 edition of our Resource Management Law newsletter finds you...
Frequently asked questions – for employees
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on countries around the world,...
Frequently asked questions – for employers of migrant workers
Q: We have an employee on an interim visa, are we able to claim...
Latest from the High Court on no individual loss bottom lines
The High Court in Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Ltd v Otago Regional Council ...
Relaxation of visa conditions for all workers delivering essential services
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has made the long-awaited announcement on temporary visa variations to...
Climate change update
Parliament’s Environment Committee (Committee) recently reported back on the Resource Management Amendment Bill (Bill)....
COVID-19: immigration considerations for healthcare workers
As the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to grow, the immigration related uncertainties...
Main COVID-19 policy announcements as at 1.30pm, 9 April 2020
Many of you will be aware that there have been numerous policy changes/announcements since...
COVID-19 and migrant worker employees – FAQs for employers
Q: We have an employee on an interim visa, are we able to claim...
Lane Neave partners named in Best Lawyers
Two Lane Neave partners have been named in the 2021 edition of The Best...
COVID-19 – changes to consumer credit and financial services regulation announced
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, New Zealand’s financial market regulators have recently implemented...
Equity upsides – alternative ways for lenders to support businesses in uncertain times
Recent events have left many businesses in a position where they face an uncertain...
New Privacy Act set for 1 November 2020
You will likely be aware that there is a new Privacy Bill being considered...
Commercial lease issues amidst COVID-19
Commercial leases Never has there been a time of greater scrutiny of commercial lease...
Employees’ rights to public holiday payments during the COVID-19 lockdown
As the Easter holidays are approaching, there is a lot of confusion around how...
Safe harbours for directors’ duties & debt hibernation regime during COVID-19
On 3 April 2020 the New Zealand Government announced that they are introducing changes...
The impact of COVID-19 on your funding arrangements
Accessing funding during COVID-19 As the extent of the economic impacts of COVID-19 continues...
During and post lockdown: top tips for employers of migrant workers
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will have massive implications for employers of migrant...
COVID-19: employment alert
The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving rapidly, and so too are the clarifications and corrections...
Supporting you through COVID-19
Lane Neave is a proud Service Provider affiliate of the Regional Business Partner Network...
Epidemic management notice issued – immigration ramifications and visa processing
For the first time the New Zealand Government has issued an Epidemic Management Notice...
Employer’s obligations during Alert Level 4
While we are still awaiting further specifics on what Alert Level Three and Four...
Coronavirus update to staff, 22 March
Message from Managing Partner, Chairman and CEO | 22 March 2020 We met yesterday...
COVID-19 border closure – the fine print
At 11.59 pm on Thursday 19 March 2020 New Zealand, for the very first...
Immigration March Newsletter
In this edition: Upcoming challenges for work visa holders in New Zealand: Act now!...
COVID-19: Government rescue package may not be enough for some employers
The Government rescue package announced on 17 March 2020 will provide substantial relief for...
Leading through uncertainty
At a time of crisis, the leaders of a business need to take action...
We can get through this together
The potential impact of COVID-19 is constantly evolving as case numbers in New Zealand...
COVID-19 rescue package: employment need to knows
Finance Minister, Grant Robertson announced yesterday a $12.1b package to help alleviate the economic...
Coronavirus – government rescue package and privacy update
Government rescue package   The Government has, today, announced a multi-million dollar rescue package...
Employer’s obligations and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
On 14 March 2020, the New Zealand Government announced that there will be stricter...
Dealing with cannabis in the workplace
The upcoming election this year will also give the public the opportunity to vote...
Coronavirus’ impact on New Zealand business
The number of infections and fatalities arising from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to...
Rising from the ashes: what is a phoenix company?
If a company is failing or in financial trouble and feels it has more...
Five points to check with your payroll provider
Throughout 2019 and in to 2020 we have seen the Labour Inspector and the...
Mandatory duties
This article is the third in our series on the new Trusts Act 2019...
COVID-19 update: an evolving situation
On 2 March the New Zealand Government extended new travel restrictions related to Covid-19...
Immigration February Newsletter
In this edition: Coronavirus update: an evolving situation Maintaining well-being whilst moving countries Investment...
Expect substantial delays to work visa applications
The Associate Deputy Chief Executive of Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has released a statement...
Travel ban update & change of priority processing on residence applications
Following our recent article Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has reviewed its travel ban in...
Employee awarded $37k for unjustified dismissal
Termination for incompatibility is only justified in rare and unusual cases, as articulated by...
Lane Neave advises Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific on $150m acquisition of CSG Limited
Leading national law firm, Lane Neave has advised Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific on the...
Public submissions in on new Urban Development Bill
The period for submissions to the Select Committee has recently closed on the Urban...
Do you have an AirBnB in Christchurch? Change is on the horizon
The Christchurch City Council (Council) has released a discussion document regarding potential changes to...
Withholding an employee’s information during a workplace bullying investigation
When an employee makes a complaint about bullying in the workplace (the complainant) they...
New Family (Parent) Category – effective 24 February 2020
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has now finally announced the full policy details surrounding the...
Lane Neave partner named as rising star
Lane Neave is thrilled to celebrate the naming of resource management partner, Joshua Leckie...
Legal 500 rankings solidify position
In the recently released The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 rankings, national law firm...
Higher FMA levies on the way, but relief for unlisted Code companies
Proposed increases to Financial Markets Authority levies Financial service providers are facing significant increases...
Hotel price-comparison website ‘Trivago’ found to have misled consumers
Price-comparison and booking websites are increasingly attracting the attention of competition and consumer law...
2020 and what it means for employers
Often when employers call us with a question or problem they ask “Is this...
Remuneration threshold changes – an update for employers
With February fast approaching, it is important for employers to pay regard to Immigration...
Employers must consult with their employees before taking action
The Employment Relations Authority (ERA) recently found in Fensom v KME Services NZ Pty...
Verbal telephone references – be careful not to breach an employee’s privacy
The relationship between references and privacy In Director of Human Rights Proceedings v Katui...
Remuneration threshold changes
With February fast approaching, it is important to pay regard to Immigration New Zealand’s...
Immigration January Newsletter
In this edition: Remuneration threshold changes Introducing expat resettlement expert, Bridget Romanes 2020 investment...
Is your business ready to take on the new decade?
It is the new year and the end of a decade. Whether you are...
Are your standard contract terms fair?
In October 2019, the Government announced its plan to strengthen the existing unfair contract...
Lane Neave announce New Year promotions
Strength and capacity has been built and effort recognised at leading national law firm...
Consultation on migrant exploitation
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) welcomed feedback and proposals for the...
Immigration December Newsletter
In this edition: Consultation on migrant exploitation New capital requirements on banks and the...
Investing in a limited partnership? Some legal points to consider
With over 2,500 reportedly registered in New Zealand, limited partnerships have proven to be...
Farm Debt Mediation Bill Enacted
The Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2) passed into law on 13 December 2019...
In brief: update on holiday pay and contractor’s rights
Tourism Holdings Limited operates a tour bus business throughout New Zealand called Kiwi Experience....
Provision to beneficiaries of trust information
This is the second article in our Trust Series. Basic trust information There is...
The Role of an Executor
When you are asked to be an Executor of a Will, you must understand...
Would a Labour Inspector find your business in breach of minimum employment law standards?
The Labour Inspectorate enforces and monitors minimum employment standards such as the minimum wage,...
How would you fare if a Labour Inspector came a knocking?
The Labour Inspectorate of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) enforces and...
Latest Government consultation – National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity
The Government has now released the proposed National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity (Proposed...
Alert: Government releases algorithm charter and examines artificial intelligence regulation
On 4 November 2019 the Department of Internal Affairs announced a new project, ‘Re-imagining...
Are your shareholders also employees?
Shareholders of a company may also be employees. This means that employers are legally...
Requesting urgent visa processing for employees
As many employers will be aware Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has a large backlog...
The latest on Culturally Arranged Marriage visas
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has been in hot water with the recent uproar around...
Immigration November Newsletter
In this edition: The latest on culturally arranged marriage visas Listed utilities sector in...
Key protections when buying the assets of an insolvent business
The government has recently announced proposed changes to insolvency law to better protect consumers...
Climate related financial disclosures – submissions sought
Company annual reports may soon feature a mandatory section on climate change, if recent...
Banking and finance: CCCFA and FSLAA Update
Credit Contracts Legislation Amendment Bill On 11 November 2019, the Finance and Expenditure Committee...
Zero Carbon Act – a starter for ten
The second week of November saw Parliament pass the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon)...
New ANZSCO occupations allowing grant of residency and three-year work visas
Statistics New Zealand and the Australian Bureau of Statistics have completed a refresh of...
Lane Neave launches book – “One man’s story of a legal firm”
Lane Neave celebrated 150 years in 2018 and the book “One man’s story of...
Immigration October Newsletter
In this edition: Parent Resident Visa Category will open again in February 2020 New...
Conduct and culture: changes on the horizon for Financial Service Providers
The Financial Service Providers industry in New Zealand is about to be shaken up...
New measures proposed to protect small businesses and consumers from unfair commercial practices
On 24 September 2019, the Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi and...
Permissioned distributed ledger technology governance
In a simplistic sense, distributed ledger technology, or DLT, involves spreading the record of...
Lane Neave launches Alumni
With a rich history spanning more than 150 years, Lane Neave has produced many...
West Coast – Employment and Privacy Law update
We invite you and others in your organisation to attend our next Employment and...
New Parent Residence Category to open in February 2020
The Minister of Immigration has finally announced that the Parent Resident Visa Category will...
Lane Neave advises Bond Supervisor in public retail bond issue
Lane Neave has advised Public Trust in relation to a public retail bond issue...
Immigration September Newsletter
In this edition: Problems with Work Visas for Employees of Non-Accredited Labour Hire companies...
Problems with work visas for employees of non-accredited Labour Hire companies
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) seem to be taking a renewed interest in temporary work...
The new Incorporated Societies Act: further update
As an update to our article in May 2019  we can report that the...
Trusts Act 2019 – what do I need to know?
The Trusts Act 2019 (Act) became law on 30 July 2019 and will come...
Employer Supported Work Visa changes announced
Today the Minister of Immigration (Minister) has released further details on the long-anticipated changes...
Lane Neave welcomes Ed Smithies to its national property practice
Lane Neave announced today that leading property lawyer, Ed Smithies, has joined the firm,...
Employer obligations 101
As you may have picked up, employment rights are a hot topic at the...
What to do when you suspect an employee is lying during a disciplinary process
The Court of Appeal case of George v Auckland Council NZCA 209 looked...
Individual Employment Agreement – must haves!
Employers must provide all their employees with an employment agreement before they start work....
Minimum wage increase
The biggest minimum wage boost since the 1980’s took effect in New Zealand on...
Bereavement leave for miscarriage or still-birth
The Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Bill (No 2) (Bill) was introduced to...
A turning point in triangular employment relations
It is currently full steam ahead in the world of employment legislation and businesses...
The Trust Act 2019 – where to from here?
Estimates put the number of trusts operating in New Zealand between 300,000 and 500,000....
Meet our new Lifelaw Partner and Associate
Our Lifelaw team has promoted Chris Anderson to Partner and appointed new Associate Tanya...
Trustee obligations: core documents to be kept by trustees
There is no doubt that many trusts are carefully administered by prudent, well informed...
Delays in visa processing timeframes impact employers and employees
If you employ migrant workers and they are looking to apply for visas you...
Immigration August Newsletter
In this edition: Immigration New Zealand: significant processing delays Global financial turbulance? Not in...
Back to basics: discrimination grievance principles
The 2017 case of Idea Services v Crozier sets out the relevant principles that...
Lane Neave advises on merger of New Zealand’s largest Credit Union
Lane Neave advised three of four entities on a merger which has created New...
The “like” button: social media plugins and liability for data transfers
On 29 July 2019 the European Court of Justice released a decision on the...
Medium size threshold proposed for small “Code companies”
A bill currently before Parliament will introduce a “medium size” threshold for unlisted companies...
Lane Neave acts on sale of three large retirement villages to NZX listed company
National law firm, Lane Neave, has acted for the family owned Sanderson Group on...
Medical incapacity: a recent update
This article provides a summary of two recent cases which involve interesting issues relating...
What you really need to know about the recent Mitre 10 ‘living wage’ decision
The recent Employment Relations Authority (ERA) decision and subsequent upholding of this decision by...
Government announces Resource Management Act overhaul
More, and potentially big, changes in the pipeline: Government announces Resource Management Act overhaul...
Immigration July newsletter
In this edition: Partnership-Based Temporary Visa applications: stuck between a rock and hard place...
Latest survey ranks Lane Neave as the most female friendly firm in New Zealand
Results from the LawFuel Gender Survey, completed in April 2019, lists Lane Neave as...
Lane Neave Solicitor wins second place in the New Zealand Society of Construction Law essay competition
Lane Neave Solicitor, Carlos Smith-Diaz, picked up second prize in the New Zealand Society of...
Distorting reality: deepfakes and the rise of deception
Emerging technologies are making it easier to create and manipulate information, by creating realistic...
Integrating drones into New Zealand’s aviation landscape
Drone use is expected to grow into a multi-billion dollar market globally over the...
Farm Debt Mediation Bill
The Farm Debt Mediation Bill (No 2) (Bill) has recently been introduced to Parliament...
2 Cheap Cars fined nearly $500k for short-changing consumers on marketing claims
Motor vehicle dealer 2 Cheap Cars recently received a fine of $438,000 under the...
A temporary change in location: employers of work-visa holders beware
Scenario: A multinational engineering firm advertises an Engineering Technician vacancy on Seek and LinkedIn...
Bereavement leave for miscarriage or still-birth
The Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Bill (No 2) (Bill) was introduced to...
Increase in parental leave payments
The Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 (Act) provides the minimum leave entitlements...
When does a volunteer become an employee?
It is not uncommon for relatives to lend a helping hand in family-owned business...
Lane Neave welcomes two new partners
National law firm, Lane Neave, is proud to welcome two new Partners in recognition...
Lane Neave announce two promotions
Lane Neave is excited to announce the following promotions, effective from 1 July 2019....
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities first Bill introduced
The Minister for Housing and Urban Development has introduced the first of two Bills...
Calculating base salary – Work to Residence (Talent) Visa
Early last year, we shared with you our observation on Immigration New Zealand (INZ)...
A David and Goliath Story – fixed-term agreement invalidated by Employment Court
Fixed-term agreement invalidated by Employment Court in Morgan v Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa Limited ...
New criminal regime for cartel conduct passes into law
Introduction The Commerce (Criminalisation of Cartels) Amendment Act passed into law on 8 April...
Regulating disruptive technologies: an update
Emerging technologies are creating upheaval for regulatory environments worldwide.  In this article we look...
Fourth edition of Government Procurement Rules released
MBIE has now released the fourth edition of the Government Procurement Rules.  This fourth...
Employer contributions to an employee’s wellbeing
In light of the Government’s announcement of a $1.9 billion Wellbeing Budget, it is...
Investigations – follow the process or ‘pay the price’
As tempting as it is to start pointing the blame or jumping to conclusions,...
Wellington appointment bolsters Lane Neave national immigration law offering
National law firm Lane Neave has enhanced its immigration service to existing and new...
Vicarious liability – is an employer liable for harm caused by negligent employees?
It has long been the position that an employer will be liable for the...
Travelling to New Zealand — new requirements for visa waiver travellers
From 1 October 2019 some international visitors and transit passengers must hold an Electronic...
Immigration May newsletter
In this edition: Travelling to New Zealand — bew requirements for visa waiver travellers...
The Equal Pay Amendment Bill marches one step closer to becoming law
Employment legislation is on the move once again with the Equal Pay Amendment Bill...
Some clarity regarding availability provisions
A recent ruling in the Employment Court has clarified whether employers can require their...
Change coming for all Incorporated Societies
Incorporated Societies (and there are over 23,000 in New Zealand) must comply at present...
Can you rely on the authority of a director (acting alone) to bind a company?
How can you be confident that a person signing a contract on behalf of...
When can a parent company be liable for its subsidiary’s actions?
The recent (and ongoing) Mainzeal case has highlighted the circumstances in which directors can...
Employee secondments
There are a number of scenarios where an employee may be placed on secondment....
New good faith code effective as of 6 May 2019
A revised  Code of Good faith in Collective Bargaining (Code) came into force on...
Final reminder: 6 May 2019 employment law changes on the horizon
In less than a week, a majority of those Employment Relations amendments passed at...
Immigration April Newsletter
In this edition: Employer compliance: impact on changes to employer-sponsored work visas NZ’s strengthened...
Compliance for employers and recruitment of migrant workers
Unfortunately, the last six months has seen an increasing number of articles published in...
New residence category for victims of mosque attacks
The Minister of Immigration (Minister) previously indicated that the Government was looking at the...
Can you charge an employee for on-the-job training?
Training a new employee is part of the induction process to help them get...
Technology update: how will the Privacy Bill impact you?
Privacy laws apply to every organisation.  They apply whenever personal information is collected, including...
Failure to obtain consent a costly mistake – FTG Securities Limited v Bank of New Zealand
The recent Court of Appeal’s decision in FTG Securities Limited v Bank of New...
Banking and finance: consumer credit law update
Credit Contracts Legislation Amendment Bill The first draft of the Credit Contracts Legislation Amendment...
The Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Bill
Update on progress On 3 April 2019, the Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Bill...
New offence for unwritten employment agreements
From 6 May 2019 an employer will commit an offence if they do not...
Seminar series: topical issues in Marketing Law
Consumer protection law expert Anna Ryan will provide a practical session on topical issues...
Employees now entitled to domestic violence leave
From 1 April 2019, employees are entitled to domestic violence leave. The Domestic Violence...
Are your rosters a health and safety risk to your workers?
If your employees work on a rostering system which does not allow for sufficient...
March Immigration Newsletter
In this edition: Christchurch mosque attacks Population growth rate high, strong demand for housing...
Lane Neave Wellington moves to accommodate growth
Strong growth in its Wellington client base has resulted in Lane Neave moving to...
Christchurch mosque attacks
The events which occurred on 15 March 2019 in Christchurch were nothing less than...
How NOT to run your Recruitment Process!
This article provides some key considerations your business must make during its recruitment process....
Lessons from Mainzeal
In New Zealand, company directors are under a duty to not trade in a...
Due diligence and directorships: making the right moves
In the wake of the recent decision of the High Court to uphold claims...
How can a seizure result in instant dismissal?
In the recent case of Wakeham v Pacific Decontamination Services Ltd NZERA 53,...
Stroke Foundation Business Breakfast
Lane Neave is a keen supporter of the New Zealand Stroke Foundation and encourage...
Major immigration changes – keeping your employees “in the loop”
As covered in our recent seminar series, significant changes to New Zealand’s immigration system...
February Immigration Newsletter
In this edition: Major changes to employer-sponsored work visas on the way Net migration...
Proposed changes to the Government Procurement Rules
At the end of January 2019 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)...
Government looks to crack down on misuse of market power – sweeping changes proposed to section 36 of the Commerce Act
Last month, MBIE released a Discussion Paper proposing significant changes to the wording of...
Pre-employment work trials – working for a day without pay?
Work trials. Are they legal? Yes, but only in certain circumstances. The recent case...
The strengthening of unions and collective bargaining
The Employment Relations Amendment Act 2018 is now law, and many of the changes...
Recommendations released on the future of Visitor Accommodation within residential zones in the Queenstown Lakes District
The Report and Recommendations of Independent Commissioners on Stage 2, Visitor Accommodation was released...
Lane Neave announce 11 promotions
Lane Neave is excited to announce a range of promotions across the firm, effective...
Lane Neave strengthens national corporate practice with promotion of Joelle Grace to Partner
Lane Neave is delighted to announce the promotion of Joelle Grace to Partner in...
Rest and meal breaks: an update
The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union in Australia has been putting pressure on...
Is it a breach of the duty of good faith for a union to call the employer a “rat” during collective bargaining?
No, held the Employment Court in Kaikorai Service Centre Limited v First Union Incorporated...
Game changer – major amendments proposed for employer assisted temporary work visas (Chinese seminars added)
In late December 2018 the Government announced its decision to invite feedback on their...
Changes to KiwiSaver expected for 2019
The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2018-19, Modernising Tax Administration, and Remedial Matters) Bill (“Bill”),...
ACC sets aside $22 million for reducing work-related injuries
ACC has announced that in February 2019 small to medium businesses will be able...
Issues Paper – review of the Copyright Act 1994
At the end of November 2018 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)...
Alternative pricing structures: earn-outs
You have found a buyer for your business (or a business you wish to...
Builder fined under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulation
A Christchurch builder has been fined under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos)...
Lane Neave office closure dates
Happy Holidays! We wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable festive season....
Submissions called for on unfair commercial practices discussion paper
On 3 December 2018 Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi and Minister for...
Employment Relations Amendment Bill: royal assent expected this week
Almost a year after it was introduced, the Employment Relations Amendment Bill finally passed...
Government’s use of algorithms
In October 2018 the Department of Internal Affairs and Statistics New Zealand released their...
Regulating cryptocurrencies in New Zealand
In September 2018 the Law Foundation published its report on cryptocurrencies.  You can access...
e-Invoicing – making trans-Tasman business e-asy
It is estimated that New Zealand and Australia process around 1.3 billion invoices each...
Employment Relations Amendment Bill: royal assent expected this week
Almost a year after it was introduced, the Employment Relations Amendment Bill finally passed...
Fired for stealing a bag of chips
It is commonly understood that to justify terminating an employee’s employment you have to...
Immigration November Newsletter
In this edition: New policy changes in effect New Zealanders making their mark in...
New immigration policy changes in effect will impact employers
A number of recently announced immigration policy changes are coming into effect on Monday...
Compensation awards in the Employment Relations Authority: an update
A few weeks ago we published an article about the banding approach to assessing...
Trial periods and how to get them right
The future for trial periods is uncertain.  As drafted, the Employment Relations Amendment Bill...
Commerce Commission prosecutes finance company for taking security over prohibited items
In the first prosecution of its kind by the Commerce Commission, Aotea Finance (West...
Commerce Commission granted new powers to study the competitiveness of New Zealand markets
Late last month, Parliament granted the Commerce Commission the power to conduct market studies. ...
The future of trusts – change is on the way
On 31 October 2018 the Justice Committee reported back to Parliament following its consideration...
Changes to remuneration requirements on 26 November – Skilled Migrant (Resident Visa) and Essential Skills (Work Visa)
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced changes to the remuneration thresholds associated with both...
Lane Neave supports NZ Rivers
Lane Neave is proud to get behind the 2018 New Zealand River Awards. The...
Employer update – INZ increase fees and seek submissions for skill shortage review
Increase in immigration fees and levies – 5 November Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has...
Employees, social media and bringing the employer in to disrepute
As the role of social media in everyday life becomes more prevalent, the grey...
Charities: are you risking your charitable status by accumulating funds?
A number of charities do not spend a lot of money, but instead choose...
Blocking the majority in a major transaction – all the more reason to have a shareholders’ agreement
A recent case heard before the Supreme Court, Baker v Hodder NZSC 78...
Banking and finance: consumer credit law update and personal property securities update
Consumer credit law update Earlier this year, the Government sought feedback from the public...
Fixed term agreements – what is a genuine reason based on reasonable grounds?
Fixed term agreements are a handy tool for employers who don’t require a permanent...
The dos and don’ts of pre employment screening
Employers often want to know what they can and can’t ask in job applications...
Employee surveillance at work – a “how to” guide for employers
Employers often wish to monitor or record their employees while at work, whether for...
Lane Neave expands its Wellington office with the appointment of Commercial Property Partner, Sharon Skinner
National law firm Lane Neave has enhanced its commercial property practice, and bolstered its...
Lane Neave recognised with two award nominations
Lane Neave is pleased to announce that the firm has been shortlisted in two...
Continued focus on migrant worker exploitation
In our previous article on this topic, we wrote about Immigration New Zealand’s recent...
Disciplinary procedures: a recap
A recent example of a flawed dismissal process was outlined in Payne v Bupa...
Are you across the latest employment law amendment bills?
Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Bill This Member’s Bill was introduced on 9...
Lane Neave welcomes three new lawyers
Lane Neave continues its proud tradition of supporting and mentoring new legal graduates with...
Structuring the sale of your business
If you have decided to sell your business or if you’ve had someone approach...
The Australian Consumer Data Right and Open Banking
Introduction In 2017 the Australian Government announced its intention to legislate a Consumer Data...
Employment Relations Amendment Bill – Select Committee report released
The Select Committee reported back on the changes proposed to the Employment Relations Act...
Employer’s duty to protect the mental wellbeing of employees
Mental health is currently the primary cause of lost working days in the majority...
A whopper of a mistake
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has barred Burger King from hiring...
Interim visa policy change
Interim visas are granted to visa applicants in New Zealand, in cases where their...
Lane Neave advises on Christ Church Cathedral joint venture agreement
Lane Neave has advised the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Trust (Reinstatement Trust) on the...
Lifelaw Newsletter: August
Convert your cross-lease Composite, otherwise known as cross-lease titles, were introduced with the best...
Immigration Newsletter: August
In this edition: Interim visa policy changes Social practices – the unwritten rules of...
Guidance on compensation awards for hurt, humiliation and loss of dignity under the Employment Relations Act 2000
Quantifying compensation for an employee’s 123(1)(c)(i) hurt, humiliation and loss of dignity in the...
Ex-employee serves prison time for breach of confidentiality
A previous employee was sentenced to 21 days in prison following repeated breaches of...
Cryptocurrencies – deciphering New Zealand’s approach to regulating digital tokens
If you’re thinking about providing a financial service in relation to cryptocurrencies, it’s critical...
A race with no winners: “gun-jumping” in the context of a merger or an acquisition
It is natural for merging businesses to want to take as many steps as...
Contractors and employees – what’s the difference?
Section 6 of the Employment Relations Act 2000 defines “employee” as any person employed...
Changes to post-study work rights and potential Auckland student exodus
The long awaited announcement by the Minister of Immigration (Minister) on the proposed changes...
Lane Neave advises Harrington’s Breweries on sale to Lion
Lane Neave was pleased to advise iconic Canterbury business, Harrington’s Breweries on the sale...
Getting behind Hard-ly Speaking
We’re excited to announce that we’re getting behind Hard-ly Speaking along with other partners,...
Immigration changes employers should be across
There have been a few changes and updates in the immigration space over the...
Immigration Newsletter: July
In this edition: Latest immigration changes you should know about Finding your place in...
The Commerce Act and cartel conduct: what does it mean for your franchise?
Most of the amendments to the Commerce Act 1989 passed into law under the...
Government signals further tightening of consumer credit laws
The Government has recently signalled further tightening of our consumer credit laws and is...
Government launches sexual harassment register
The government has set up a register for allegations of workplace sexual harassment through...
Domestic Violence – Victims’ Protection Bill passing through Parliament
The Domestic Violence – Victims’ Protection Bill (Bill) is due to have its third...
Immigration Seminar: A Pathway to Residence (Christchurch)
This free seminar is for Chinese visa holders who are working and/or studying in...
Seminar: Employer Accreditation – What You Need to Know (Wellington & Queenstown)
Managing HR and employment law issues is challenging enough, and when you throw in...
Employee brain explosions – human behaviour that defies rational explanation
It seems rather topical at this time of year, for those who are football...
Myth busting: top five employment myths
Myth 1: An employee can be fired on the spot if they are clearly...
The AML/CFT Act now in force
This is a further reminder that the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism...
Competition and Consumer Law / Intellectual Property specialist Anna Ryan promoted to Lane Neave partnership
Lane Neave is pleased to announce the promotion of Anna Ryan to the firm’s...
Lane Neave announce six promotions
Lane Neave is excited to announce a range of promotions across the firm, effective...
Lane Neave advises Bathurst on C$121.5m joint venture deal with Jameson Resources
A team of corporate lawyers from Lane Neave has advised New Zealand’s largest specialist...
Lane Neave celebrates 150 years
This year marks 150 years since John Holmes established the law firm Thompson &...
‘Tis the season for employment law queries
We usually get an influx of similar employment law queries at various times throughout...
What the new anti-money laundering requirements mean for our clients
From the 1 July 2018 all law firms will be required to obtain more...
Proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act Amendment Bill – clarity or confusion?
The Select Committee has completed its deliberations on the Overseas Investment Act Amendment Bill...
Franchise agreements – take it or leave it?
Franchises are a popular way of doing business in New Zealand – we are...
Friendly Societies and Credit Unions (Regulatory Improvements) Amendment Bill
When the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions legislation was first enacted, the world of...
How annual leave works when an employee returns from parental leave
Under New Zealand employment law, employees are entitled to annual leave and parental leave...
Fair Pay Agreements
One of the more controversial labour law changes on the “to do list” of...
Lawyers require more client information under new anti-money laundering laws
Changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML Act)...
Responsibility for a breach of visa conditions falls both on the visa holder and the employer
Most employers will be aware of the importance of checking the visa of a...
Volunteer associations to be excluded from Health and Safety at Work Act duties
A new Bill has been introduced to the House that intends to amend the...
Optional, unpaid, pre-work meetings no more
The Labour Inspectorate’s spotlight is clearly still on minimum entitlements with retail chain Smith...
I’m going into business with my brother/sister/friend/partner. What do I need to know?
You and your potential business partner have come up with a fantastic and unique...
Terms and conditions – I’m sure no one reads them, so why would I need them?
Whether you’re setting up a business, undergoing a restructure or simply reviewing your business...
Terminating on medical grounds is a tricky decision
Deciding whether to terminate employment based on medical grounds can be a difficult decision...
Better work stories
Employment lawyers sometimes get asked whether someone can be fired for “being a bit...
Government priorities update – spotlight on employer accreditation policy and labour market checks
The Immigration Minister, Iain Lees-Galloway, has warned that some immigration policies, specifically in relation...
Congratulations Claire Evans – Winner in the Emerging Leader category of the Women in Governance Awards
Claire Evans walked away with the Emerging Leader gong at the Women in Governance...
Legal personhood for nature has legal ramifications
Background Ecuador and Bolivia were among the first to set the platform for the...
Privacy Bill 2018 – key changes
In this article we discuss the new Privacy Bill that was introduced to Parliament...
Fair Trading (Oppressive Contracts) Amendment Bill
A private members’ Bill proposing to redress the power imbalance inherent in ‘standard form’...
Criminalisation of cartel conduct back on the cards
Imprisonment for deliberate contraventions of the Commerce Act 1986 is back on the political...
Prohibition on ‘cartel conduct’ comes into full force on 15 May 2018
In August 2017, significant amendments to the Commerce Act 1989 were passed into law...
Balance vs agility – and how to achieve it
The word on the street is that there is a new buzz word hanging...
Ex-employee penalised $1000 for Facebook post
Cambridge Analytica and Mark Zuckerberg aren’t the only ones who have recently been in...
Mycoplasma bovis outbreak – compensation for farmers
On 26 March 2018 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) announced that all cattle...
Think before you (Privacy) Act
We have seen an increase in employee privacy related claims and complaints, and employers...
Lane Neave Charity Golf Day 2018 – over 38k raised!
We are thrilled to say that our 2018 Charity Golf Day has raised over 38k for...
Grounds to dismiss an employee
Seeing as we deal with it day in and day out, we thought we’d...
Robo advice for financial matters – proposed law change brings this closer to reality
In October 2017, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), which plays a critical role in...
Why you should make brand protection a priority in 2018 – case study
If you are starting a new business venture, launching a new product or service,...
The in’s and out’s of parental leave
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would have noticed there have been...
Congratulations, Emma Jeff! Winner of our Morton Prize in Emergency Medicine
As a firm, we are extremely proud to support the Emergency Care Foundation (ECF)...
5 Year Employer Accreditation renewals – non-government entities “do not qualify”
Employers will no doubt be aware of the rigorous and complicated policy requirements that...
Easter trading
With Easter just around the corner employers whose businesses are shops should be aware...
Work trials, are they legal?
Some employers use pre-employment assessments – typically a brief unpaid “on the job” trial...
Preparing for the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation
Introduction On 25 May 2018 the EU’s existing data protection (ie privacy) legislation will...
You’ve received an offer to buy your business – don’t forget to manage your risk!
Whether you have been looking to sell your business for awhile and a great...
More changes on their way
Many employers around the country are spending their time getting their head around proposed...
Days are numbered for 90 day trial periods
The days appear to be numbered for 90 day trial periods, with the Government...
Broad-ly Speaking is coming to Auckland!
We are excited to announce that Broad-ly Speaking is coming to Auckland! Key note...
Do you own a rental property?
If the answer is yes, whether commercial or residential, then read on to avoid...
Immigration Newsletter: February
In this edition: Do you need a pay rise to qualify for a visa?...
Buckle up! 2018 is going to be year of upheaval for labour laws
The Government has announced the first round of changes to New Zealand’s employment relations...
Christmas closure – dates
Happy Holidays! We wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable festive season....
Three Senior Solicitor promotions at Lane Neave
Lane Neave is excited to announce the promotion of three of its talented team...
Immigration Newsletter: December
In this edition: Immigration New Zealand office restructure and closures Christmas in New Zealand...
Lane Neave re-appointed as provider on Government panel
Lane Neave has been re-appointed as a panel member in the All of Government...
Significant new restrictions overseas buyers residential property
The Coalition Government has introduced into Parliament under urgency the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill...
Workplace Law Newsletter: December
In this edition: Authority looks at when an employer can “fairly cry halt” Tis...
Getting behind Broad-ly Speaking
Recently we partnered with Broad-ly Speaking, a Brown Bread initiative that brings together women...
New overseas investment restrictions– major direction change for offshore New Zealand land acquisitions
The Coalition Government has made its first big move to change the way in...
Workplace Law Newsletter: November
In this edition: What the new government means for employment law Second HSWA case...
Cross Lease property – what you need to know / you should know about the bright-line test
Lifelaw Simplifying your affairs At Lane Neave we provide simple solutions to complex legal...
Immigration changes – a new direction under a new Government
It will be somewhat of a relief to both employers as well as migrants...
Lane Neave announces new partner, Evelyn Jones
Lane Neave has enhanced its corporate practice, and bolstered its partnership, with the appointment...
Lane Neave recognised with award nominations
Lane Neave has been named as a finalist in three categories of the 2017...
Lane Neave advises BT Mining on Solid Energy acquisition
Lane Neave has advised BT Mining, a joint venture between Bathurst Resources Limited and...
New immigration changes – a big deal
In this edition of the Immigration Newsletter: New immigration changes – a big deal...
Lane Neave LawTech Bootcamp provides innovative concepts
  The groundbreaking LawTech Bootcamp partnership between some of University of Canterbury’s brightest students...
Workplace Law Newsletter: August
In this edition: MBIE releases Holidays Act compliance document New regulations for hazardous substances...
Essential Skills Work Visa policy changes
The Minister of Immigration, Hon Michael Woodhouse, has announced policy changes to the Essential...
Top 5 property tips before signing that agreement / what happens to my digital assets when I pass away?
July Lifelaw Newsletter: Lifelaw When life decisions are everything. At different points in your...