Legal Insights & News, Bramwell Bate Lawyers

Read the latest news, articles
and clients stories from Bramwell Bate.

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April 17, 2026 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Acknowledging Talent and Growth Within Our Team

. We’re delighted to share some well-earned promotions within our team.   Lois McLintock has been promoted to Associate, a reflection of her professionalism, the trust she has built with clients and colleagues, and the valuable contribution she makes to the firm.   Charlie Robson has been promoted to Senior Associate, recognising his dedication to clients, his calm and pragmatic approach to complex situations, and the positive contribution he makes to our team.   Congratulations to both Lois and Charlie on these milestones - very well...

April 16, 2026 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence: Kevin Osborne Transitions to Consultant

Bramwell Bate announces the move to Consultant for long standing Director, Kevin Osborne, effective from 1 April 2026.   This move follows an exceptional career marked by leadership, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to his clients. Kevin has been a cornerstone of Bramwell Bate and his previous firm, Bate Hallett, for over 50 years, shaping the growth of our practice and mentoring generations of lawyers.   Known for his remarkable work ethic and fierce competitiveness, Kevin has applied this same discipline to...

September 17, 2025 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Long awaited Increase to Threshold for Probate

The threshold for requiring Probate or Letters of Administration will rise from $15,000 to $40,000 from 24 September 2025. This long-awaited update reflects the reality of today’s estate values and will provide welcome relief for many families navigating the estate process. The current $15,000 threshold was set back in 2009 and much has changed. A threshold of $15,000 was an unrealistic amount for estates given rising KiwiSaver balances which are now a common and significant part of people’s estates, even modest...

September 15, 2025 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Protecting Your Assets Upon Your Death: The Importance of an Updated Will

Written by Damandeep Sadhra  Originally published in The Profit  - September 2025 A will is a legal document that sets out who will inherit your property after your death. If you die without one (known as dying intestate), and you have more than $15,000 in assets your family must apply to the High Court to access your estate (on 24 September 2025 this will increase to $40,000). The law – not you – decides who receives what. It’s a process that can be expensive,...

June 10, 2025 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

What Landowners Need to Know About the Future of Water in Hawke’s Bay: Plan Change 9

Written by Kelly Henderson Originally published in The Profit. Water is central to Hawke’s Bay’s agricultural and economic success. It sustains crops, reinforces land values and drives investment in one of the New Zealand’s most productive agricultural regions. However, a far-reaching new policy—Plan Change 9 (PC9)—is set to dramatically reshape water rights across the TANK catchments (Tutaekuri, Ahuriri, Ngaruroro, and Karamu). PC9 changes the way water is valued, managed and accessed and its impacts will be immediate and significant for landowners, agribusinesses...

January 22, 2025 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Privacy Amendment Bill changes the requirements for the indirect collection of personal information

Written by Nick Aveling and Dan Barclay  The new Privacy Amendment Bill (“Bill”) proposes changes to the Privacy Act 2020, by introducing changes to enhance transparency when personal information is collected indirectly. This would better enable individuals to exercise their privacy rights when their personal information is being shared from a third-party source to an agency. This bill aims to align New Zealand’s privacy laws with international best practices. The change is important as currently there is no requirement for an organisation...

January 21, 2025 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Cyclone Gabrielle: an update on the response to the damaging effects of the Hawke’s Bay flooding

Written by Kevin Osborne and Dan Barclay  It has been 2 years since Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events in 2023 caused widespread damage to the Hawke’s Bay region. Whilst people in residential areas are recovering more effectively, rural landowners across the region are still suffering from widespread effects of the Cyclone. Orders under the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Act (SWERLA) 2023 were made in June 2024 with the Hawke’s Bay Flood Protection Works and the Resource Management-Hawke’s Bay Rural...

January 20, 2025 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Disputes Tribunal Amendment Bill: Potential Change to the Access of Civil Justice in New Zealand

Written by Dan Barclay A Bill proposing to increase the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 passed its first reading in Parliament during November 2024. Many people are often deterred from pursuing claims as they cannot afford to take it to the District Court or the fees of going to Court exceed the value of claim they are pursuing. The proposed increase to the value of a claim allows for these claimants to have their case heard, changing...