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Business briefs

We take a look at the latest commercial law headlines that could impact your business.

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Major changes ahead for New Zealand’s financial landscape

On 31 March 2025, the government introduced into Parliament a reform package making major changes to New Zealand’s financial services landscape. Included in the reform package is the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill.

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Budget 2025

With this 2025 Budget and despite worldwide geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions, the minister has indicated New Zealand’s fiscal outlook will gradually recover, despite an initial period of retraction.

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Over the Fence

Taking a closer look at the threat of American tariffs; Employer Obligations around Mental Health; and the Consumer Guarantees Act vs. the Fair Trading Act.

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Firearms Reform 2025

The government aims to modernise the Arms Act 1983. The overhaul is the fourth phase of a commitment to reform the firearms regulatory system following on from three previous phases implemented after the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting.

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Emissions Trading Scheme

The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will turn 17 years old in September. Lately, there has been concern about the conversion of productive farmland into forestry in order to gain emissions units. The government has recently announced changes to the ETS; its aim is to strike a balance between achieving New Zealand’s climate goals, and protecting the longevity and profitability of our
most profitable farmland.

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New deed of lease documentation

The Law Association of New Zealand (TLANZ), formerly the Auckland District Law Society, released an updated version of the standard form deed of lease document, its 7th edition, in November 2024. We take a closer look.

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Issues affecting finance and settlement

We explore a range of issues that can get in the way of finance and settlement, when you’re making a property purchase.

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Updates to the residential tenancies legislation

We explore a range of updates to residential tenancies legislation, including those related to pets and tenancy terminations.

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Succession drama for Rupert Murdoch trust

The Murdoch case illustrates how important it is to get things right from the outset to protect the beneficiaries from someone trying to make unexpected changes later.