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CRIME SURVEY FINDS MĀORI AND YOUNG PEOPLE THE MOST VICTIMISED
Posted by Lisa Garrud on December 13 2019
Māori form 26% of the most highly victimised people, almost twice as high as their proportion of the New Zealand adult population, according to the Ministry of Justice’s latest report Highly Victimised People. The report comes off the back of the New Zealand Crime and Victims... Read the rest of this entry
Construction disputes - Tips on how to avoid them
Posted by Benefitz Admin on November 11 2019
With Auckland crane numbers at almost 100 in July this year, construction litigators have been busy – both vertical and horizontal disputes. Great for lawyers and the experts alike, but not so good for developers, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Interestingly, despite the... Read the rest of this entry
Public Works / Land Compensation - Processes
Posted by Benefitz Admin on November 11 2019
In most cases where an entity intends to exercise powers conferred on it under the Act, one of the early steps will be to consult with the relevant landowners, or at the least give notice. However, it is critical as a landowner to know your rights in such circumstances and seek professional... Read the rest of this entry
Sponsorship Agreements – how to avoid selling more than you bargained for
Posted by Benefitz Admin on November 11 2019
Many sporting organisations struggle financially and are reliant on sponsorships with commercial partners to assist with cash flow. This is greatly appreciated by the organisations and a key way to commercialise the organisation where it might otherwise only be reliant on or predominantly... Read the rest of this entry
Avoiding digital distractions
Posted by Benefitz Admin on November 11 2019
We’re a distracted workforce these days. While some types of distraction can be good for productivity, such as in creative tasks where it can make space for the more intuitive, holistic, creative right brain to rev up, typically distraction is adversely affecting our workplace... Read the rest of this entry
Public Works/Land Compensation – Infrastructure vs Owner’s Use
Posted by Benefitz Admin on October 14 2019
The Public Works Act 1981 (Act) has evolved over a significant number of years to place more protection on the rights of the landowner. However, the Act still confers significant and wide ranging powers to ‘take land’ either by agreement, or compulsorily. Although, these powers are... Read the rest of this entry
The Essentials of being an Effective Director – Lessons from the High Court
Posted by Benefitz Admin on October 14 2019
In the wake of numerous director reckless trading decisions before the High Court, it is timely to remind all those who hold directorships of their legal roles and responsibilities under the Companies Act 1993 (the Act). Earlier this year, the liquidators of Mainzeal Property and... Read the rest of this entry
Trusts Law Update – Trusts Act 2019
Posted by Benefitz Admin on October 14 2019
The Trust Act 2019 (Act) comes in to force on 30 January 2021 and brings important reform to the Trustee Act 1956. The main objective of the Act is to make trust law more accessible to the public. It sets out and simplifies core trust principles and default administrative obligations,... Read the rest of this entry
Proposed Sports Anti-Doping Rules 2020 under consultation
Posted by Benefitz Admin on October 14 2019
The Board of Drug Free Sport New Zealand has advised that it proposes to make the Sports Anti-Doping Rules 2020 under section 16 of the Sports Anti-Doping Act 2006. The 2020 Rules will amend the Sports Anti-Doping Rules 2019. The draft 2020 Rules and the material incorporated by... Read the rest of this entry
To sue or be sued: The first questions your lawyer should ask.
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
What better way to start off our first newsletter than with something that has been dear to my heart for almost 30 years now. Suing. A lot of fun and interest for me and my team, but for many of you – probably uncertainty or if you’ve been there before, you might liken it to having a... Read the rest of this entry
Overseas Investment Act: Removing unnecessary red tape
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
Consultation on phase two of potential reforms to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 is underway. The recent consultation document released by the Treasury follows from last year’s phase one changes which restricted foreign investment in ‘residential property’. The... Read the rest of this entry
Workplace bullying attacks your bottom line – how to deal with it
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
Often I am called in to help solve bullying issues in the workplace. Usually, this is when the relationships between the parties is already close to breakdown. For instance, not long ago I helped a medical practice with an investigation into multiple complaints of bullying and sexual harassment.... Read the rest of this entry
Building sector facing significant legislative reform
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 13 2019
In a recent discussion paper, the Government identified a number of longstanding problems within the building sector including inconsistent and insufficient practices, low productivity, labour shortages and poor health and safety practices. It has therefore proposed changes to five areas of the... Read the rest of this entry
MBIE is Targeting Construction Companies
Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 4 2019
MBIE is Targeting Construction Companies You might have heard in the news recently that four construction companies (CNZ Homes, Vanguard Construction, MX Construction and GL Siteworks) have all received infringement notices for breaching Employment Relations Act 2000 and Holidays Act 2003,... Read the rest of this entry
Domestic Violence Leave
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 21 2019
New type of paid leave for victims of domestic violence available from 1 April 2019 The Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 will come into force on 1 April 2019. From that day, domestic violence victims will be able to take a new type of paid leave, and seek a... Read the rest of this entry
Changes to Employment Relations Amendment Bill
Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 21 2019
Employment Relations Amendment Bill passes second reading Last year we wrote an article about proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 ( Click here ). The Bill passed its second reading in Parliament and came into force in December. Unionised employers should be happy... Read the rest of this entry
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
Posted by Benefitz Admin on July 5 2018
How New AML Legislation Affects Our Clients Why we need to ask you for information Recent changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 ( Act ) mean that from 1 July 2018, lawyers in New Zealand will be subject to the Act. The legislation... Read the rest of this entry
Business Guide to Unfair Contract Terms
Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 14 2018
If you are a business that deals with consumers and you use standard form contracts, you need to make sure your terms are fair. The Commerce Commission has recently launched a series of videos and quick guides to help businesses avoid unfair contract terms in standard form consumer contracts. Read the rest of this entry
The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 6 2018
The Overseas Investment Amendment Bill ( Bill ) was introduced to Parliament on 14 December 2017 and will amend the existing Overseas Investment Act 2005 ( Act ). The intent of the Bill is to restrict the acquisition of residential land by overseas investors and to ensure that any such... Read the rest of this entry
Minimum wage when on call
Posted by Benefitz Admin on April 4 2018
Workers entitled to be paid minimum wage for each hour when on call Community service workers are often required to undertake sleepovers as part of their role. They must remain on site overnight to be on hand to deal with any issues that arise. The law has been clear since the Court of... Read the rest of this entry