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February 28, 2023 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Initial Funding Package for Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Announced

Written by Chloe Smart (Updated 28 February 2023) Cyclone Gabrielle caused unprecedented flooding and damage as it made its way across the North Island earlier this month. Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson has announced details of the first round of funding available to the primary sector through the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), which will be welcomed by local farmers and growers to help begin their recovery. What support is available? Farmers, growers, and whenua Māori owners affected by Cyclone Gabrielle can...

January 31, 2023 In Bramwell Bate News By Cherie Hannam

Honey, I shrunk the equity!

Written by Christine Symes. First published in The Profit. Reflecting on the past year and considering what’s to come in 2023. How do we summarise the New Zealand property market in 2022? “Contrast” comes to mind. “Against the grain” might be another appropriate phrase. It was an exceptionally intriguing year for New Zealand’s property market. Professionals at all levels of the sale and purchase of property recognised a significant shift in what had previously been a “sellers’ market” and as we head into...

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...