Editorial
NZ law guides
Substantive explainers of New Zealand law, each anchored on primary sources — the Acts, the Regulations, the registers. Information only; for advice on your situation engage an NZ Law Society-registered lawyer.
How these guides are written. Every fact-bearing claim links to the relevant section of the Act, the Regulation, or the official Court / Ministry page. No fabricated bylines, no testimonials, no outcome guarantees. The guides are general information — they are not legal advice for your specific situation. To verify a lawyer is currently practising, search the NZ Law Society register.
Family law
Employment law
Relationship property
13 min read
Relationship property settlement under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976
The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 is the New Zealand law that divides assets when a marriage, civil union, or qualifying de facto relationship ends. The starting point is equal sharing — but the Act has carve-outs for separate property, contracting-out agreements, and short relationships. This guide walks through the equal-sharing presumption, the qualifying relationship test, the separate-vs-relationship-property line, the section 21A contracting-out mechanism, and the dispute resolution pathway.
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13 min read
Buying a house in New Zealand — the legal process step by step
Buying residential property in New Zealand involves a sale and purchase agreement (typically the ADLS/REINZ form), conveyancing under the Property Law Act 2007, a LIM report, and title search. This guide walks through the conditional offer, due-diligence checks (LIM, title, building inspection, finance), settlement, and post-settlement obligations. Information only — not legal advice for your specific transaction.
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Criminal law
Wills & estates
11 min read
Making a will in New Zealand — DIY vs lawyer-drafted
New Zealand wills are governed by the Wills Act 2007. A valid will must meet section 11 formal requirements — but a formally-valid will can still produce expensive litigation if it does not deal cleanly with the family home, KiwiSaver, life insurance, and Family Protection Act 1955 claims. This guide walks through the formal requirements, when DIY is realistic, when a lawyer adds value, and the executor and probate process.
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14 min read
The Trusts Act 2019: what every settlor, trustee, and beneficiary should know
A plain-English walk-through of the Trusts Act 2019: mandatory and default trustee duties, mandatory beneficiary disclosure, record-keeping obligations, the 125-year maximum duration, and why some pre-2021 family trusts are now being unwound. Information only — not legal advice.
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Commercial law
Tenancy & residential renting
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