Newsletter - December 2025

The final countdown to Christmas is on and it’s that time of year where people are either winding down, looking to take an easy exit to 2025, or winding up as the end-of-year functions, workplace parties and last minute tasks all start to stack up. We are certainly seeing the latter with people looking to wrap up those final legal matters for 2025.

It has also been a challenging year for many, although there are still plenty of opportunities out there and hopefully more on the horizon for 2026. We suspect however that most people are already counting down the hours until they can put down the tools, take some time out to spend with friends and family and look forward to enjoying the classic kiwi summer at the beach or at the barbecue.

We missed out on our November newsletter as things were a little hectic in the office (more on this below) and like everyone else, we were working on those last minute issues, for ourselves, but also most importantly for our clients. For our final newsletter for the year, we take a look at some good ideas for your holiday legal preparations, some common holiday legal FAQ’s, shine a spotlight on our recent collaboration ceremony with Zhong Wen Law and consider what the year might hold for immigration in 2026.

It is also not too late if you need some last minute advice, or assistance before the year does finally come to an end - our team is only a phone call or email away.

Local Presence - Global Reach

NZ - China

Last week marked a significant moment for the team Turner Hopkins Law, as we commemorated the official opening of our collaborating office with Zhong Wen Law. In June 2025, representatives from Turner Hopkins visited the offices of Zhong Wen Law in China to confirm our commitment to a shared office presence, and establishing a cross-border legal network between the two firms.

Last week, representatives of Zhong Wen Law reciprocated, by travelling to New Zealand to finalise the opening of their presence in our offices in Takapuna. We were joined by some very distinguished guests, clients and of course our talented team members. The event was live-streamed to Zhong Wen's offices throughout China as well.

Turner Hopkins already has a very well established Chinese legal team, lead by Joy Yuan (Principal) and we also have Jerry Yu (Special Counsel), who operates between our offices and Zhong Wen Law on a number of existing cross-border matters. A special thanks goes out to the team who helped to put on the event, including Sue Williams-Warren, Hazel Lee and Helen White. Also a special mention to our MCs for the day, Samuel Ames and Samantha Si. We look forward to strengthening cross-border legal capability and supporting clients in both China and New Zealand.

We are encouraging our clients to take a long-term perspective when navigating the property market. This means not only considering immediate opportunities but also assessing how current decisions fit into their broader financial and investment goals. Reviewing finance structures is a key part of this approach - making sure mortgages, loan terms, and repayment plans are optimised for both current conditions and potential future changes in interest rates.

NZ - Global

Turner Hopkins is proud to be an active member of Andersen Global, a worldwide association of independent legal and tax firms committed to delivering seamless, high-quality professional services across more than 400 locations globally. Our involvement with Andersen Global strengthens our ability to support clients with their international legal needs, giving them access to specialist expertise, on-the-ground capability, and unified standards of excellence - no matter where in the world their matters arise.

Recently, representatives from Turner Hopkins attended the Andersen Global Partner Conference in Las Vegas, joining other legal and finance professionals from across the network. The conference brought together leading legal, accounting and tax practitioners for three days of collaboration, strategic planning, and global insight-sharing. It provided a valuable opportunity to deepen relationships with our Andersen colleagues, explore emerging trends shaping the legal and business landscape, and reaffirm our shared commitment to integrity, independence, and client-centric service.

Our participation in the Las Vegas conference further enhances our ability to deliver world-class, cross-border solutions for our clients. Whether supporting an individual with international mobility needs, advising a New Zealand business expanding offshore, or assisting global companies entering the NZ market, Turner Hopkins’ connection with Andersen Global ensures our clients benefit from a truly integrated international platform backed by local expertise and long-standing trust.

Holiday Hours - 2025

As we approach the festive season, we wish all our clients, colleagues, and community a safe and enjoyable break. Turner Hopkins will be closing for the holidays from 12pm on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, and will reopen for normal business hours on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.

During this period, our team will be taking a well-earned rest, but we understand that urgent matters can arise.

For any emergency legal enquiries, please contact us via law@turnerhopkins.co.nz, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible. Please note that only urgent matters will be responded to and all other queries will be answered when we return to the office.

Holiday Legal FAQs

Even though we are on holiday, legal issues can still pop up and so our website is full of legal FAQs to keep you on track, even while we might be away from the office. We have selected a few of the more commonly asked questions that surface at this time of year and added them in below.

• Q: Can I be required to work on public holidays?

  Generally, no - unless your employment agreement specifically requires it and the request is reasonable for the nature of your work (e.g., hospitality, retail, essential services).

  If you can be required to work, you must receive time-and-a-half plus, in most cases, a day in lieu (alternative holiday).

• Q: What if Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, or 2 January fall on a weekend?

  These are “Mondayised” public holidays in NZ. If the holiday falls on a weekend and you don’t normally work that weekend, you get the following Monday (or Tuesday) as the public holiday.

  If you do normally work weekends, the holiday remains on the actual day for you.

• Q: What are my rights if a Christmas gift I bought is faulty?

  Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, you’re entitled to a repair, replacement, or refund depending on the nature of the fault.

  Retailers cannot insist you deal directly with the manufacturer. Keep receipts or bank statements-they’re valid proof of purchase.

• Q: Is there legal protection for holiday online shopping scams?

  Yes. Consumers purchasing online from NZ traders are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act.

  But CGAs do not apply to overseas sellers, which is especially relevant during holiday sales. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is.

• Q: Can neighbours set off fireworks at any time over the holidays?

  No. Fireworks in NZ can only be sold 2–5 November, but people often keep them and use them later.

  They may only be used safely and legally, and misuse can breach local council bylaws or the Fire and Emergency Act. Complaints can be made to the Police or FENZ.

• Q: My flight or ferry was delayed/cancelled over Christmas — what are my rights?

  If you’re travelling domestically with Air NZ, Jetstar, Interislander, or Bluebridge, your rights fall under the Civil Aviation Act or the operator’s Conditions of Carriage. Generally, carriers must provide rebooking or refunds for cancellations within their control, and assistance in some circumstances.

  For international flights, rights depend on the airline’s own policies-NZ has no equivalent of EU passenger compensation rules.

• Q. Is Immigration New Zealand closed over the holidays?

  Immigration New Zealand (INZ) does close down over the statutory leave days and generally have a very limited staff available from 24 December through to 03 January.

  Online applications can still be submitted however, and will be processed when staff return to the office.

If your holiday break leads to a few unanswered legal questions, then our team will be back on deck from 14 January 2026 and ready to assist you. Whether you are starting back at the office and need to tidy up those employment agreements, considering bringing in more staff from overseas or looking to update your will (or put one in place) our experienced team have you covered.

To discuss your legal issues, contact us on 09 486 2169, or email law@turnerhopkins.co.nz. Remember we are still open until midday on 23 December and so there are still a few weeks left for you to get those last minute affairs in order.

Immigration - 2026 Outlook

2025 has been an incredibly busy year for the New Zealand immigration system, with the updated Active Investor Visa being rolled out (and for all accounts as a significant success), the introduction of the Parent Boost Visa, Business Investor Visa and numerous tweaks and changes to Work Visa settings. We were also given a sneak-peak in to what the future of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) holds as well, with the proposed introduction of two new pathways for trades and those with work experience.

The question now, is whether there are still big changes to come, and what will 2026 hold for those considering the big move. Often this time of the year is when people start to consider that option and make plans to head to New Zealand in the new year, and so potential future changes will factor in to that decision making process.

The biggest update we expect to see is the formal roll out of the SMC changes, announced earlier this year. The Government announced these changes about 12 months in advance, which was largely based on the amount of time required to make the necessary IT changes to deliver these new and updated policies.

Overall the SMC updates will see a greater number of people become eligible with dedicated pathways for trades and technicians, and then a new pathway for those using work experience (where they may not meet any of the existing SMC skill criteria). There will also be a reduction in the total work experience required for most points based applicants down from three years to two. If you complete a Master’s degree in NZ and secure skilled employment that will also give you a straight to residence pathway.

We might also see the final component of the business migration suite being added - the rumoured “Start-Up Visa” which will sit alongside the Active Investor and Business Investor Visa options.

2026 is set to be another year of updates and policy announcements, but I suspect it will be somewhat less frantic than the last 12 months has been. The Minister will of course be looking towards the next election and so new policy moves will slow down accordingly - which is probably a good thing, given the pace and rate of change we have had more recently.

What is clear from 2025 and looks set to continue in 2026 is a strong signal from this Government that we want more skilled people. While pressure is being applied on the lower-skilled workers and NZ employers are being encouraged to go local (which makes sense), the outflow of New Zealanders to places like Australia, means there is a looming skill shortage on the horizon - particularly when those economic green shoots, start to push up more soil.

For people considering the big move, the opportunities are there and with INZ processing residence applications at lightning speed, the timing for those coming out in the next 12 months is ideal.

To find out how our immigration team can assist you with your plans to move here, or if you are an employer looking to bring skills in to New Zealand, get in touch today: immigration@turnerhopkins.co.nz or visit: www.turnerhopkinsimmigration.co.nz

As we head into the end of 2025, we want to say a genuine thank you to everyone who has been part of Turner Hopkins this year. It has been a full and fast twelve months, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us, the work you bring our way, and the ongoing relationships that make what we do feel meaningful.

The holidays are a good chance to step back, relax a little, and enjoy some time with the people who keep us grounded. Whether your break looks like beaches, backyards, books, or a bit of quiet, we hope it gives you the space to recharge and enjoy a few moments that feel special.

From the Partners and the whole Turner Hopkins team, thank you for your support throughout 2025. We look forward to reconnecting in the New Year and continuing to work alongside you with the same energy, care, and commitment you expect from us.

Wishing you a safe, refreshing, and very happy holiday season, and a great start to 2026.

Until next year…