Legal News.
Latest legal news and events in our backyard.
The Law Lowdown – SPRING 2025
Catch up on all the news and information in this edition of The Law Lowdown Inside this issue: Download your copy here
Trust Property Sales: Simplified Rules but Ongoing Responsibilities
Recent changes to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT) have eased compliance requirements for family trusts, particularly when selling property. The reforms, in force from June 2025, respond to long-standing criticism that the old rules placed too much burden on low-risk transactions. What Has Changed Previously, whenever a trust was involved in a property sale, lawyers and other reporting entities were required to complete full due diligence. This meant identifying not only trustees but also
Why Retirement Villages Require Enduring Powers of Attorney
When moving into a retirement village in New Zealand, new residents are usually asked to have an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in place. This may feel like another bit of administration to add to the paperwork, but it is an important safeguard for both residents and their families. Why an EPA is Required An EPA allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so yourself. There are
Understanding Easements
When you buy or own property in New Zealand, you may come across the term easement. Easements are a common legal feature of land ownership, and while they can sound technical, they play an important role in allowing landowners to use their property effectively. What is an Easement? An easement is a legal right to use someone else’s land for a specific purpose. It does not give ownership, but it allows the owner of one property (the “dominant tenement” (land))
The Law Lowdown – WINTER 2025
Catch up on all the news and information in this edition of The Law Lowdown Inside this issue: Download your copy here
Understanding Separate vs Relationship Property
Under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (PRA), everything a couple owns is sorted into two baskets when they separate or when one partner dies: relationship property and separate property. Knowing which basket an asset falls into can prevent costly arguments later. Relationship property Most things acquired during a marriage, civil union or qualifying de-facto relationship (usually three years or more) are presumed to belong to both partners equally. Typical examples include: Separate property Separate property normally stays with the person