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.
Commercial
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.
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.
Business briefs
A recent decision in the Court of Appeal* has made a director liable for almost $500,000 of company debt due to the company’s failure to keep adequate accounting records.
Potpourri of employment law changes ahead
Last year saw many changes in the employment law sphere, with the Labour-led government delivering on promises of reform in this area.
Agri-tourism and food
Agri-tourism and food are growing sectors in New Zealand. We have farm tourism where tourists are shown working farms with activities such as sheep dog and shearing exhibitions.
Four more changes to business law for 2018…
In these briefs, we’re looking at moves to stop multinationals from avoiding paying tax, website privacy and why you need to make sure you’re compliant, another hefty fine issued under the new health and safety laws, and tightening the screws on anti-competitive behaviour.
Improved working conditions for employees
The Labour led coalition government has make swift amendments to the Employment Relations Act 2000. These changes took effect on 1 February this year and will impact all businesses, so if you’re an employer, you need to take note.
Loan documents: do you read the fine print?
How many of us actually read the fine print when signing a document? The old adage suggests we should and with good reason. If you run a farming operation, it’s very likely that you’ll need to borrow funds from one of New Zealand’s main trading banks. It’s also vital that you read the fine print to avoid some unpleasant surprises. Here’s a summary in larger, easier to read print.
Shareholder Relationships: What happens if you need to break up?
Shareholders’ agreements are often compared to a marriage. In many ways this comparison is true, so what happens if you need to break up? In business, breakups happen for many reasons. Here are some pointers about how to avoid a costly mess.