High Court confirms duty of care owed by builders in respect of school buildings

New Privacy Law: Mandatory Breach Reporting – what does it mean for NZ businesses?

It's not surprising that privacy rights are falling into sharper focus for law makers around the world. Regulators simply have not kept pace with the exponential rise of technology and its steady intrusion...

What you need to know – employment and immigration law changes

The Employment Relations Amendment Act gained Royal Assent on 5 December 2018 and amends the Employment Relations Act 2000. The Minister of Immigration also announced proposed substantial changes to the immigration system, on...

Thinking of moving to New Zealand?

If you intend to move to New Zealand or have recently arrived, you need to be aware of legal issues that affect your ability to buy a home, and also your tax...

Finalist at the New Zealand Event Awards

Being a finalist for a national award is always most gratifying. Being a finalist in an area outside your core business area is even more so. We are very proud to be...

2018: Looking back to look forward

It's been a busy year for our regulators in the transport and supply chain sector. In this final issue of FTD for 2018, we look back at some of the year's highlights...

Anthony Harper gives back – A Year of Community Involvement

Our tag line is "There is a Difference", this difference is based on a set of guiding principles that makes our firm unique and helps us to develop a great client experience...

Financial services - Looking ahead to 2019

Legal reform and the financial services sector go hand-in-hand, with almost constant regulatory change the norm. Looking ahead to 2019, there are two developments which will need particular attention – good conduct, and changes...

What the Trusts Bill could mean for you as a trustee?

Trusts are very popular in New Zealand and are used in a variety of ways to protect property, family members and manage assets. Between 300,000 to 500,000 trusts are operational in New Zealand,...

End of a relationship – New changes proposed on how your property and assets may be shared

Whether you are married, or in a de facto relationship, whether you have a pre-nup or not, in the event your relationship comes to an end either through separation or death the division...

Where does our food come from?

Understanding where our food originates is the subject of growing public concern. Consumers want to make informed purchasing decisions and there is a major cultural shift towards ensuring that our food is ethically...

Do you need to update your privacy policies before the new regulations bite?

Traditionally, privacy compliance has been perceived as relatively low risk – NZ businesses have not necessarily sought to comply with our privacy laws, typically because our Privacy Commissioner "lacked teeth". That's about to change....

Overseas Investment Act update – is change now the only constant?

Reflecting on events of the past year, it is quite remarkable that after years of successive governments not being willing to touch the overseas investment legislation - much to the frustration of all...

A run-down of immigration changes for all employers and HR Managers

*Increasing challenges for employees' residence applications* Employees' residence applications, under the popular points-based scheme (called the Skilled Migrant Category) continue to be challenging because of increased pay rates and the difficulty in identifying the correct...

The New Overseas Investment Amendment Act

The Overseas Investment Amendment Act 2018 passed into law on 22 October 2018 . It amended the existing provision of the Overseas Investment Act 2005. Property partner, Sylvia Cheah, discusses the changes to...

Why is the Government reviewing Karel Sroubek's case and what could happen next?

This article appeared on Stuff on 31 October 2018. Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has come under fire for granting residency to convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek. The Czech national came to New Zealand...

The ASA Codes are changing!

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes seek to ensure that all advertisements are responsible and adhere to the principles of decency, legality, honesty, truthfulness and fair competition. The ASA is introducing the new Advertising...

The Financial Advice Code – Consultation Draft

Last Friday the Code Working Group released a consultation draft[https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/business/business-law/financial-advisers/financial-advice-code-working-group/consultations/consultation-on-draft-code-of-conduct-october-november-2018/draft-code.pdf-1] of the financial advice code – the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services – and a supporting consultation paper[https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/business/business-law/financial-advisers/financial-advice-code-working-group/consultations/consultation-on-draft-code-of-conduct-october-november-2018/consultation-paper.pdf-1]. The Code will apply to...

High demand industries at most risk from immigration law change

This article was first published in Stuff on Tuesday 9 October 2018 Changes to New Zealand’s work visa rules, which came into effect in July 2017, are now having a significant effect on migrant...

Research and Development Tax Credits – Are we any better off?

Does your business use a structured and systematic approach to acquire new knowledge or create new or improved goods, services or processes? If so, you may be able to reduce your tax bill...

New partner Nicola Tiffen launches Anthony Harper's immigration practice

Anthony Harper are pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Tiffen as a partner. Nicola will head Anthony Harper's newly formed immigration practice. Nicola has 17 years' experience in immigration law and advises...

Sharing success

Anthony Harper is very proud of our success and proud of our team that enable us to grow and succeed. The last few years has seen us grow and transform from an...

Overseas Investment Amendment Bill passed

The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill was passed on 15 August 2018, and all that now remains to bring the Bill into law is royal assent, which is expected shortly. This follows the announcement...

Feeding bellies and not bins

We are enormously proud to be helping Everybody Eats in their mission to 'feed bellies and not bins'. At their pop-up restaurant located in St. Kevin's Arcade, Auckland, the restaurant serves a tasty...

New employment entitlements for victims of domestic violence

The Domestic Violence – Victims' Protection Bill recently passed its third reading and will come into effect on 1 April 2019. The new laws are aimed at enhancing protections in the workplace for employees...

Will the financial advice changes affect you?

The Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee has reported back on the Financial Services Legislation Amendment Bill (FSLAB). FSLAB will amend New Zealand's financial advice laws, by replacing the current stand-alone Financial Advisers Act 2008...

How the FMA's focus on good conduct will affect your business

This article originally appeared on STUFF on 7 August 2018 Financial services providers in New Zealand need to be prepared to deal with changes in the way their conduct is observed, to ensure...

New partner adds depth to our financial services team

"Our excellent financial services team is strengthened by the addition of our newest partner, Nick Summerfield", said Malcolm Hurley, Managing Partner at Anthony Harper. "Nick's deep understanding of the financial services industry includes advising...

Managing the risk of insolvency on a construction project

With the new Construction Contracts Act retentions regime in place, and rising construction costs, more and more businesses in the construction industry are facing solvency issues. Contractors are finding their cashflow is tightening and...

Potential law changes to combat misuse of NZ companies

Partner, Chris Dann outlines the proposed new legislation to combat misuse of NZ companies Read Chris's full article here, to learn how this will potentially affect you?

Budget 2018: opportunities for sustainable, regional tourism businesses

You could be forgiven for thinking that the 2018 Budget contains little for those in tourism. However, Megan Compton believes that there is plenty of opportunity for those who can push two of...

Warning – new anti-cartel legislation no longer ‘under construction’

Prohibited cartel conduct in New Zealand has recently been expanded. In this article, the authors discuss how the new rules will operate under the Commerce Act, and how competitors can protect themselves. Competition and construction go hand in hand. Businesses...

Privacy Update – a new Privacy Bill

The new Privacy Bill is currently undergoing its first reading. The Bill repeals and replaces the 25 year old Privacy Act, and implements a number of the changes recommended by the Law Commission back...

High Court confirms duty of care owed by builders in respect of school buildings

A recent High Court judgment has confirmed the extension of a duty of care in construction cases to builders, who owe a duty of care to owners of school buildings to ensure...

Changes to the taxation of employee share schemes (ESS) aligns their use with other forms of remuneration – is this going to impact you and your business?

New Rules Legislative changes to the taxation of employee share schemes have been introduced with effect from 29 March 2018, aimed at modernising the taxation of ESS's so that they are simple, efficient and...