Commercial

Our Commercial Team is well-known for its experience, technical skills, and practical advice. We work with large and small businesses on a range of opportunities and problems, including many of the region’s most prominent transactions and deals.

Our Commercial Team works closely with our Māori Legal Team to support post-settlement governance entities in their administration of property and commercial interests.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi

We have lawyers with whakapapa across Aotearoa and beyond assisting iwi, hapū and whānau with all legal matters relating from te Tiriti o Waitangi.  

Our team has a fundamental grounding in te ao Māori, incorporating tikanga and contextual considerations into our legal and strategic advice to ensure the best outcome for our clients. Our team understands the complex and changing legal landscape in this space.  

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a founding document for Aotearoa and our legal system and traverses a number of our work areas in one way or another. We work alongside clients in specific te Tiriti o Waitangi related matters including:

• Treaty Settlements – including assistance with negotiations, commercial, property and environmental advice. 
• Waitangi Tribunal claims – including historical claims, kaupapa inquiries and urgent applications. 
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Iwi Disputes – including representing clients in various forums in relation to post-settlement issues, governance disputes and other matters.

Property

In the field of property law, even matters that appear straightforward can prove complex. Our specialist Property Team can assist on all property matters, from the sale and purchase of a house through to complex unit title subdivisions, and opinions on resource management and unit title matters.

Dispute Resolution

Our Dispute Resolution Team provide effective advocacy and support in all disputes, including before various courts and tribunals. Our clients benefit from considered advice on the most effective dispute resolution process to meet your needs, backed up by support and advocacy to deliver a practical and cost-effective outcome. Our team of experts have long-standing relationships with senior barristers.

Asset Planning

The protection of your assets is vital for your ongoing well-being and peace of mind. Our Asset Planning Team can help you to set up your affairs to best achieve your goals for you and your family.

Environmental/Natural Resources

Whatungarongaro nga tangata, toitū te whenua - As man disappears from sight, the land remains.

Our team works in all areas of resource management, Te Tiriti and tangata whenua matters. We understand the diverse nature of both public and private sector needs and can strategically guide you through your development or consenting project and any issues which arise. The importance of Māori involvement in environmental and resource consent matters is always at the forefront of our thinking, and we have a firm understanding of the policy frameworks affecting Te Ao Māori and how these policies can operate alongside tikanga.

Workplace Law

He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Our workplaces are often where we spend a large part of our life.  It is important that we look after those within our workplaces. Our team can help with advice on how to ensure your business is not only meeting its minimum legal requirements but is also keeping safe from other employment risks. We focus on understanding employer business to make sure all employment documents reflect the business and its values. We also help employees to be treated fairly in any space.

Māori Land

Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou ka ora ai te iwi

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha tēnā koutou katoa

Our team is committed to working with Māori land owners, whānau, hapū and iwi to achieve their whenua objectives and aspirations.

We have the skills and experience to provide a wide range of legal services in the following areas:

• Māori Land Trusts, Incorporations and Marae Governance Entities.
• Māori Land Utilisation and Development
• Māori Land Dispute Resolution.
• Māori Land Estate Administration.

We are committed to incorporating Māori values into the way we practise law and acknowledge the importance of building strong long term relationships with Māori land owners, whānau, hapū and iwi.