Knowledge
Statutory Delegation Gone Wrong: Can We Fix It?
Wednesday 1 October, 2025
A recent Supreme Court decision highlights the unforgiving nature of statutory delegations. When a prosecution proceeded without proper written consent from the Attorney-General, the Court held the defect could not be cured by ratification. The case underscores the need for strict compliance: even minor errors in delegation can collapse proceedings, with no easy fix.
Holidays Act Update
Wednesday 24 September, 2025
The Minister of Workplace Relations has announced an overhaul of the Holidays Act 2003 (‘Current Act’). The Current Act has proven problematic, with virtually all employers having aspects of its calculations wrong at some time. This has led to widespread non-compliance. The Government intends to replace the Current Act with a new Employment Leave Act (‘New Act’).
AI and Legal Privilege: Key Risks for Businesses
Monday 1 September, 2025
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT can be useful, but they also carry legal risks. Information entered into these services is not protected by legal advice privilege under New Zealand law and may affect confidentiality. Our team outlines the key issues and how businesses can manage them.
High Court Ruling on Traffic Calming Measures
Thursday 28 August, 2025
A recent High Court decision found Auckland Transport had acted beyond its statutory powers when approving a raised pedestrian crossing and speed humps on a beachside street. The case highlights the statutory requirement to consider vehicular traffic impacts under the Local Government Act 1974, and how the Street Layouts Rule 2023 may offer a more flexible pathway for future traffic calming projects.
Reforms to National Direction for Freshwater: Continued
Friday 8 August, 2025
The focus of the proposals in Package 3 of Government’s national direction reform is freshwater. Alongside the proposals to rebalance the broader policies and objectives in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM) and the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 (NES-F), there are a number of targeted proposed changes to address specific issues in the freshwater sector.
Keeping it Fresh: Reforms to National Direction for Freshwater
Wednesday 23 July, 2025
The Government is consulting on proposed reforms to national direction for freshwater as part of Package 3 of its Resource Management Act reform programme. The proposals include changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), the role of Te Mana o te Wai, and the National Objectives Framework.