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December 9, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Building the answers to supply chain problems

To attempt to respond to increased demand for housing and ongoing supply chain issues, the Ministry of Building, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) have created a Critical Material Taskforce, aiming to build on the work of the Plaster Board Taskforce established in June 2022. The Plaster Board Taskforce imported and provided alternative products from GIB to ensure that construction could continue, despite the supply chain not meeting the demand post COVID-19. The Plaster Board Taskforce was deemed a success with a...

December 6, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Modernising the Mechanics of Charities in the New Year

Written by Tayla Westman  Charities play an essential role in our community and are key to providing much needed support. There are over 28,000 charities registered in New Zealand. About half of all Kiwis are involved in charity work, whether it is as a volunteer or directly with the community. Charities also play a vital role in our economy, having contributed over $20 billion last year. Much of the law governing charities in New Zealand is set out in the Charities Act 2005...

November 21, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Order to act under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988

The three most common orders granted under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (“the Act”) are set out below together with an explanation of what happens when you have been appointed, and what your obligations and responsibilities are. Property Order: This Order occurs when a person’s item of property does not exceed $5,000 in value or their income/benefit does not exceed $20,000 in any one year. You are required to administer the property, income or benefit in such...

November 18, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Executors and trustees of a Will

All Wills need executors and trustees. These days, while there may be more than one of them, the executor and trustee is usually the same person in a Will. This has not always been the case and the roles remain complementary and different. The executor role is usually related to the coordinating and finance arrangements for and with the deceased’s family: whether he or she was to be buried or cremated, reviewing the Will content and progressing to carry out the...

November 15, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Changes to the Fair Trading Act

The Fair Trading Amendment Act 2021 came into force on 16 August 2022. The Act has been introduced to put in place new protections against unfair practices, by extending the protections against unfair contract terms under the Fair Trading Act 1986 and prohibiting unconscionable conduct. The types of contracts that are captured under by the Amendment Act include terms of trade and independent contractor agreements. A contract is subject to the amendments under the new Act when it is in standard...

November 11, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Residential Land Withholding Tax: When and who pays it?

Residential Land Withholding Tax (RLWT) was introduced in July 2016. This is where lawyers and conveyancing agents acting for an offshore person in a residential sale will withhold the RLWT and pay it directly to the Inland Revenue Department. If the vendor is not an offshore person and the sale of the residential property happens within two years of obtaining the property where the house does not qualify as a “main home”, this sale will be subject to tax also. There...

November 7, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Workplace Bullying

The role of the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and the Employment Court (EC) is more critical than ever in defining and addressing workplace bullying. As more cases surface, the definition of what is bullying becomes clearer as opposed to what is merely criticism or feedback. The ERA and the EC are the combined force that brings all the workplace bullying strands together. There are a number of pieces of legislation that all seek to address the bullying from different angles and...

November 4, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Kāinga Ora: First Home Partner

Our team met with Ngaroata Jason Wawatai, Stakeholder Relationship Manager, and Martha Williams, Product Manager, from Kāinga Ora this week.  Jason gave us an overview of the responsibilities of Kāinga Ora under the Home and Communities Act 2019 and a brief update on policy movements, and housing and urban development locally. Martha shared an update on the range of products on offer from Kāinga Ora including a relatively recent product, First Home Partner, which we think is interesting and could be...