It is August already and the year continues to fly by, although for some it might be feeling a little more like dragging by, than for others. We are however heading to that time of the year when the days get a bit longer, the temperatures a bit warmer and there is a renewed sense of positivity as we shake of the last few weeks of winter.

2025 has so far, been a pretty challenging year for many, although those green shoots continue to show signs of life, as interest rates slowly come down and people begin planning ahead for the warmer months and the end of year. Most people will be looking ahead to 2026 and what might be instore in the new year.

Cross leases were originally developed in the 1960s as a way of getting around restrictive subdivision requirements and saved developers in cost and time. They have however been labelled New Zealand’s “greatest conveyancing issue”.

Not all additional clauses are dangerous. In fact, some are essential to protect your interests, provided they’re written correctly.

Here’s a guide to a couple of common clauses, New Zealand buyers and sellers request along with tips on drafting them effectively.

When it comes to buying or selling property in New Zealand, the standard Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) is a well-tested, industry-wide tool. It’s designed to balance the interests of buyers and sellers while reducing the risk of ambiguity or dispute.

However, recent commentary from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) has highlighted a growing concerns with the casual addition of extra clauses, often under the “Further Terms of Sale” section, without a full appreciation of the legal consequences.  

As we transition into the second half of the year, the change in season (yes, apparently it getting a little warmer, as the days get longer) is a timely reminder that nothing stays still for long - especially in New Zealand. Whether it’s the weather shifting gear or the evolving economic landscape, both individuals and businesses are being asked to adapt in real time.

Across the country, many are feeling the impact of continued economic uncertainty, with cost-of-living pressures, rising interest rates, and tighter lending criteria presenting new challenges. In times like these, staying informed and being able to adjust and/or adapt, isn’t just smart - it’s essential.

Purchasing property in New Zealand is an exciting milestone, but the process can feel overwhelming if you’re not familiar with how homes are sold here. From private negotiations to auctions, each method has its own rules, timelines, and potential risks.

Here’s our expert guide to the five key sale methods and why working with a property lawyer early can save you stress, time, and money.

Recent reductions in home loan interest rates are welcome news for homeowners across New Zealand. However, these changes prompt an important question: how can homeowners make the most of lower rates?

Two common strategies to consider are refixing and remortgaging. Each option has distinct advantages and considerations. The appropriate choice depends on your financial objectives, the structure of your loan, and any potential costs such as break fees.

This article outlines the key features, benefits, and considerations of both options to assist you in determining which may best suit your circumstances.

Takapuna-based law firm Turner Hopkins has struck a deal to expand into mainland China, citing increasing demand for legal advice in investment, immigration, and the enforcement of Chinese court decisions in New Zealand.

The Auckland firm, founded in 1923, last week said it had established a presence in China courtesy of a collaboration office in Shenzhen with a 2000-lawyer local firm, Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm. The office was formally launched on June 9 at an event attended by legal and diplomatic representatives from both countries and will have about 150 lawyers.

As we approach the midpoint of 2025 with the cooler weather firmly setting in, it’s a great time to reflect on a busy and productive first half of the year - both here in New Zealand and for our team at Turner Hopkins.

Earlier in the month, members of our firm had the privilege of travelling to China to meet with several leading Chinese law firms and legal professionals. These meetings helped strengthen our international relationships and reaffirm our commitment to cross-border collaboration, particularly in the areas of immigration, commercial law, and investment. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase the depth of New Zealand’s legal framework and to explore ways we can support clients doing business across jurisdictions.

Back home, New Zealand continues to navigate a dynamic economic and legal landscape. From ongoing immigration policy updates to the evolving property market and regulatory shifts affecting business owners, the year so far has brought both opportunities and challenges for clients across various sectors.

In this edition, we’re also pleased to highlight again, our new FAQ section, created to answer some of the most common questions we receive - whether you're navigating a family matter, looking to invest in property, or seeking to recover debt. It's part of our ongoing effort to make legal information more accessible and client-focused.

Turner Hopkins has successfully represented a Hong Kong-based Chinese e-commerce company in a high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional legal dispute, culminating in a significant win at the New Zealand Court of Appeal.

This complex matter, initiated in 2020, spanned international arbitration, multiple High Court proceedings, and a final appellate decision—affirming the full extent of the client's claims.

As May ushers in the cooler months, it's a timely reminder that change is constant - whether in the seasons, business dealings, your personal life or the legal-landscape. As we approach the half-way point in 2025, businesses are slowly starting to see some increased optimism with interest rates being pushed lower, however economic challenges are still present in many parts of the country.

At Turner Hopkins, we’re here to help you navigate all of these issues with confidence. In this month’s newsletter, we share some insights in terms of the upcoming changes to incorporated societies; we offer some practical advice through our legal FAQ section and some predictions as to what the future of our immigration system might hold. We also have share our ongoing work in the community with our recent Pink Ribbon Breakfast event. Our newsletters aim to keep you informed and prepared, whatever your legal needs may be.

If you are an incorporated society you have until 5 April 2026 to re-register under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 with a Constitution that must be compliant with this Act and associated regulations.

If you do not register by that date, you will automatically cease to be an incorporated society.

April is here, and with it comes the long Easter weekend, the end of daylight savings, and the realization that we’re already a quarter of the way through the year! As the seasons shift, it’s also a good time to take stock of any legal matters that may need attention—whether in business, employment, family, property, or immigration.

In this edition, we explore the enforceability of restraint of trade clauses in employment agreements, provide some key immigration updates, and offer some key thoughts on understanding a commercial deed of lease.

At Turner Hopkins, we’re here to help you navigate the legal landscape with confidence. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Wishing you a happy and restful Easter break!

With only about a month to go before the clocks wind back and we lose an hour of daylight, it feels like summer has flown by. Much of the country has seen hot, dry weather, so for some, the arrival of cooler temperatures may be a welcome change. The year is well underway, and there’s plenty happening—especially in areas like interest rates and the labour market. While 2025 is bringing its fair share of challenges, we’re also starting to see some positive signs of growth.

On the immigration front, there have been some notable changes. The biggest updates include the revamp of the investor visa category and the introduction of new “digital nomad” rules, allowing visitors to work remotely while holidaying in New Zealand. The Government is clearly focused on attracting both tourism dollars and new investment into the country.

In this month’s newsletter, we cover key updates in employment law and discuss the use of personal guarantees. We also take a closer look at the rise in property listings, the latest changes to the investor visa program, and what the rollout of digital nomad rules means for New Zealand.

Media reports are coming out fast and strong claiming that there has been a surge in property listings and making all sorts of predictions for residential property in the year ahead.

This increase number of property listings, coupled with a drop in asking prices and lower mortgage rates have created what is referred to as a buyer's market. Assuming of course thar buyers have confidence in long-term job stability and economic growth.

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill is expected to pass in 2025 which will preclude employees who earn an income of more than $180,000 (base pay) from being able to raise a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal. 

As we welcome in the new year (most of us are in the full swing of it already), it's the perfect time to plan ahead and set yourself up for success in the months ahead. The Turner Hopkins team, are kicking off the year with a commitment to keeping you informed, updated, and ready to navigate any legal challenges that may come your way.

In this first blog for 2025, we’ll share some practical tips to help you protect your interests, make informed decisions, and stay ahead in both your personal and professional life. From property and business law to family matters and estate planning, we’ll provide some useful tips that will help you to navigate some of the challenges a new year can bring. We also welcome two new members of staff to the Turner Hopkins team as well as celebrating the promotion of another.

In New Zealand's commercial landscape, personal guarantees are a crucial tool for securing transactions. Over recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in disputes surrounding personal guarantees, especially regarding their enforceability and validity.

A personal guarantee is a legal commitment where an individual (the guarantor) agrees to fulfil the obligations of a debtor (often a company) if that debtor defaults on a loan or other contractual obligation.

This assurance provides an extra layer of security for creditors, making it easier for businesses to obtain financing or secure business contracts. If you are a director, you need to have a clear understanding of what your obligations are when signing a personal guarantee.

Welcome to our final newsletter for 2024 - with the holiday season almost upon us, the last few weeks before Christmas can often be quite overwhelming.

So, we thought we would wrap things up a little early as well as provide you with a few things to contemplate (in terms of your legal affairs) of the beach and BBQ period. We also thought it would be a good time to remind everyone that as the year winds down, any last minute legal matters should be attended to as quickly as possible.

If you need our assistance before the year ends, please make sure you in get in touch with one of our team soon as possible (our holiday hours are listed at the end of this article).

This time of the year always feels pretty chaotic (which is why our October newsletter is arriving on 01 November!)…the days are quickly ticking by as we approach Christmas and the silly season slowly descends upon us. There are often too many engagements, gatherings and social events to keep up with and essential life admin, gets put on the back-burner. So to keep things light and as a bit of a break from our usual newsletter contents, this month, it’s all about the people - our people.

We know that dealing with the law can be a very daunting prospect for clients, even those who have been through the process before, and so we take great pride in being approachable, listening to what our clients need and being able to explain the possible options in simple, clear terms. The video introductions on this page, hopefully give you some insight in to that approach and how our people do what they do.