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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...

November 2, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

The ease of COVID sees the removal of the Epidemic Notice

Written by Tayla Westman In March 2020 the Prime Minister issued the Epidemic Notice (“EN”) under section 5 of the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was designed to allow Government “special powers” in legislation for it to respond swiftly in a rapidly evolving situation. The EN has been in force since that date, and in October 2022 it was announced that the EN would expire on 20 October 2022. For many, the EN may have impacted...

November 2, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

An overview of Occupation Right Agreements

Purchasing an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA) at a retirement village is a big decision, and it can be a daunting task reviewing all the paperwork that villages are required to provide to you. Set out below is a brief overview of the more salient aspects of life within a retirement village. A retirement village is governed by the Retirement Villages Act 2003 (“the Act”). This Act protects residents and the village by providing a legal framework in respect of financial reporting,...

October 17, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Welcoming Back the Skilled Migrant Category Visa With Open Arms

Immigration New Zealand continues to take steps to tackle the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on labour shortages in the country. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which came into force earlier this year, has seen New Zealand reopen its borders to encourage migrant workers to fill the plethora of vacancies we have seen throughout the job market. The AEWV has so far seen more than 12,000 migrant applicants applying for over 511 different vacancies in New Zealand under the new...

October 3, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Kōrero in the Workplace: The Importance of Mental Wellbeing as a Business Asset

Written by Christine Symes and Tayla Westman Originally published in The Profit In 2021, the theme of Awareness Week was “take time to kōrero”, which encouraged connection through conversation, and promoted openness about our mental wellbeing. For employers and employees, it’s important to understand that mental health plays a significant role in the workplace. For businesses, the mental wellbeing of their teams is a great asset. Research shows that businesses who invest in the mental health of their staff reap the benefits...

September 20, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Thinking Outside the Box To Get on the Property Ladder

Bramwell Bate’s new solicitor, Lois McLintock, provides an overview of the current market and options for purchasing your first home. New Zealand has seen an escalation in housing prices in recent years and, unfortunately, this has kept many Kiwis from getting on the property ladder and fulfilling the dream of home ownership.  However, the QV House Price Index recently reported that average house prices had decreased and in Hastings that meant a decrease of 3.3% and in Napier a considerable 7.2%. A...

September 13, 2022 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Calling All Businesses Seeking Talent: The New AEWV Accreditation Scheme

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a positive move for New Zealand’s employment sector and economy overall. To put it simply: Employers can become accredited to hire migrants under the new regime for up to three years, improving opportunity for both business efficacy and migrants seeking employment. However, the new regime does not come without its complexities. Employers are required to comply with a strict process to become accredited. This three-step process is carried out by Immigration New Zealand...