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Looking for your first home

Buying your first home may be more in reach than you think. In 2018, the government aligned the purchase price limits of existing first home buyer schemes with the newly-launched KiwiBuild programme.

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Property briefs

A unit title is a form of property ownership where you own your unit, but the common areas are owned by the body corporate. This ownership structure is common in high-rise apartment blocks.

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Over The Fence – April 2019

We recommend you review all wage and salary structures to ensure your employees are paid at least the minimum wage at all times for hours worked.

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National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry

The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) were first proposed in 2010. Following a period of consultation, the Standards came into effect on 1 May 2018, with a review due in 12 months after that (May 2019) to ascertain whether or not they are being successfully implemented.

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Tenure review of Crown pastoral land to end

The Minister for Land Information, the Hon Eugenie Sage, announced on 17 February this year that the ‘tenure review’ of Crown pastoral land under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 (CPLA) would end.

difficult separation

The choices that come from a difficult separation

Losing a spouse or partner is very sad and difficult, and not a time most people want to have to make important legal decisions. Unfortunately, this is the time you have to decide between your entitlements under their will or potentially making a claim against their estate. Here are your options.

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The bank of mum and dad

Contributions by family members to the purchase of a property and how this is recorded can affect property ownership. We discuss how you can help your children and, at the same time, lessen the risks to you as parents.

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No enduring power of attorney

If you are unable to make decisions for yourself at any stage (either temporarily or longer term) it is important there is someone in place to act on your behalf.

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Accessing the assets of a trust

When a marriage, civil union or de facto relationship breaks down, the couple will usually divide their property according to the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the PRA). However, these two people often hold property in a trust rather than personally.

buy a business

How to buy a business without getting burned

Buying a business can be a significant commitment of time and money, so you won’t want to find out there are issues after settlement, especially ones that come at a big cost. Even if you’re not a first time buyer, following the process can seem complex. If you’re looking to buy a business, our business lawyers have put together a step by step guide to doing it right.