Employers must take all allegations of workplace bullying seriously, and they need to be investigated promptly and thoroughly.  However, it is important that employers know what constitutes “workplace bullying” and what does not.

In the first of a series on workplace bullying, Chantelle Holland and Mark Linton look into the definition of “workplace bullying”, to differentiate what it is and isn’t.

There have been recent changes to trade mark guidelines in New Zealand to cover trade marks featuring “Māori elements”, including Māori concepts, signs or imagery.  Which is a significant step forward for both businesses and Tangata Māori in Aotearoa.  These changes, introduced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, emphasise the importance of respecting Māori culture in the commercial space.  

With the ever-increasing utilisation of Māori elements in branding and intellectual property, businesses must navigate these guidelines carefully to ensure compliance and cultural sensitivity.

Cabinet has recently approved the next steps for the proposed Treaty Principles Bill (the Proposed Bill) including agreement to continue to progress the Bill.  The Proposed Bill has already caused significant mamae for Māori and, if enacted, will fracture Māori-Crown relations further.  

The Waitangi Tribunal has released a Report on the Proposed Bill, ultimately recommending that it should be abandoned. 

The Government is taking further steps to modernise the (somewhat archaic) Companies Act 1993 (the Act), with Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, recently announcing the Government's backing for a comprehensive reform package.

During our lifetime, we are almost certain to experience the death of a loved one.  It can be an overwhelming and challenging time, even more so if you are tasked with sorting their personal affairs.  Understanding what to expect when a loved one dies can help ease the stress you may feel and allow you to take the time to grieve.  

A key objective of the Trusts Act 2019 was to provide further transparency for beneficiaries of trusts.  The Act in fact records that trust information may be withheld from all beneficiaries only in “exceptional circumstances”.

Court-related disputes can be challenging, but the Māori Land Court offers alternatives to traditional litigation. Alternative Dispute Resolution methods, such as mediation, can be less adversarial and more focused on resolution, providing an opportunity to incorporate tikanga and promote mana enhancing solutions for participants.  This article introduces the Māori Land Court mediation service and provides key tips to navigating this process.

Wills and enduring powers of attorney are often discussed and prepared at the same time with your lawyer as a prudent part of a person’s estate planning.  However, the documents have distinct purposes, and the roles of executors and attorneys are often confused.  Understanding how these different documents operate is essential for ensuring that your affairs are managed well, and your wishes are honoured, in life and in death.  

An ahu whenua trust is a way to bring owners of Māori Land or General land owned by Māori together to make decisions and take positive steps toward developing, utilising or preserving their whenua.  However, managing a trust can be complex and time-consuming and trustees have legal obligations they must comply with.  Check out our tops tips for the smooth running of your trust.

The Central Government has released a discussion document proposing reforms to streamline the construction of granny flats, aiming to boost affordable housing and provide new options for homeowners.  Additionally, the reforms are intended to support the development of papakāinga.  Public feedback on the proposed changes to the Building Act and Resource Management Act is invited, with submissions due by 12 August 2024.

Commercial leases are a core component of most businesses operating in New Zealand, and as a tenant it is essential to understand the key terms, and potential risks associated with your lease agreements, to ensure that your commercial endeavours can thrive. 

In this article, Ezrom will briefly look at some of the key elements to be aware of and advise on how to avoid some of the more common pitfalls.

On 29 May 2018, the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor produced a report on Methamphetamine Contamination in residential properties. Most of us will remember the various headlines in the newspaper and on the news and social media; “Meth house contamination debunked by PM’s science advisor” or “The Meth House is a Myth”.

In this article, Kerri outlines the report and what you need to consider as a landlord, purchaser or homeowner.

Employers and employees alike may experience mental illness at any stage in their lives.  Given the length of our working lives – the likelihood of it happening during our working life is high.  With that in mind, it is important to foster workplaces where talking about mental health is a safe and natural thing to do. 

In this article, Tazmyn offers tips to equip employers to support their employees in the workplace and understand their obligations if an employee is experiencing mental health challenges. 

In the first instance, employees should talk to their employer to try and resolve any problems.  Trying to resolve the problem informally first can help to keep the employment relationship positive.  If an initial discussion leads to more questions than answers, then raising a personal grievance could be an option.

In a recent landmark decision, the Supreme Court has sided with the Royal Forest and Bird Society against a Board of Inquiry's decision to approve resource consent for NZTA’s proposed East West Link. In this article, we take a look at the decision and what the future may look like for our environment and projects of regional and national significance.