Navigating the New Changes in New Zealand's Property Tax Rules
The bright-line test extension The changes to the bright line test are documented here. There is still a “main home exemption” to the bright line test. If you sell the property within 10 years of acquisition (or 5 years for a new build), and it was your ...
Oct 16, 2025
Wage Theft Now a Crime: Key Changes for NZ Employers
The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Act 2025 came into force on 14 March 2025. This amendment allows for employers to be criminally prosecuted if it is established that they intentionally withheld wages, salaries or other monetary entitlements (such ...
Jun 23, 2025
Incorporated Societies Re-Registration – Act Now to Meet the April 2026 Deadline
Incorporated Societies Re-Registration – Act Now to Meet the April 2026 Deadline The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 introduces important updates to the way incorporated societies in New Zealand are governed. It aims to strengthen governance by setting ...
May 4, 2025
From the City to the Country: John Steel's New Chapter in the Wairarapa
The Wairarapa has finally won him over! Seasoned property lawyer John Steel has officially joined Gibson Sheat’s Masterton office. Bringing a wealth of experience and a genuine connection to the region, his presence will provide valuable continuity for ...
Dec 16, 2024
Craig Tatley of Gibson Sheat Lawyers | NZTA’s Industry Alert to Bus Operators in relation to bike racks
On your bike: NZTA’s Industry Alert to Bus Operators in relation to bike racks. Craig Tatley, a solicitor in the Litigation team at Gibson Sheat, has a unique perspective on the challenges facing the passenger transport industry, as he regularly drives ...
Nov 6, 2024
Former Minister Andrew Little Joins Gibson Sheat Lawyers as Consultant
Former Minister Andrew Little Joins Gibson Sheat Lawyers as Consultant Wellington, New Zealand: Former Leader of the Opposition and Cabinet Minister Andrew Little has transitioned from the halls of Parliament to the world of legal consultancy, joining ...
Mar 10, 2024
.png)
Why contracting out agreements can be a gift of love | Gibson Sheat Lawyers
Valentine's Day is usually associated with chocolates, flowers, and romantic dinners. But let's be honest, sometimes the true battles in relationships are fought over less glamorous things, like who takes out the trash or whose turn it is to mow the ...
Feb 13, 2024
.png)
Sports Clubs Health and Safety Obligations
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (the Act) imposes legal obligations on everyone conducting business or undertakings to ensure a safe workplace. Sport or recreation organisations should be aware these obligations apply to you regardless of whether ...
Nov 30, 2023
Closedown periods annual leave and working on a public holiday | Gibson Sheat Lawyers | Conor Lennon, Lower Hutt
Closedown Periods, Annual Leave and Working on a Public Holiday. What You Need to Know Before This Holiday Season Some of the most commonly asked questions by our clients in the leadup to the annual summer holiday season are: My company has an annual ...
Nov 30, 2023
RiverLink, is your business in the Hutt Valley ready for this? | Gibson Sheat Lawyers, Malcolm Galloway
Are you Riverlink-Ready? Last week Waka Kotahi announced AECOM-Fletcher as the preferred alliance to deliver this much-anticipated project to the Hutt Valley. Although contracts are yet to be finalised and signed, this is a major milestone for a project ...
Apr 26, 2023
Can employees be stopped from taking on a second job? | Employment Law | Gibson Sheat Lawyers Wellington
Can employees be stopped from taking on a second job? In New Zealand, employees have the right to work for other employers, even if they are already employed full-time. To prevent this, employers can include terms in their employment agreements that ...
Apr 12, 2023
.png)
Unit title and body corporate operational rules | Gibson Sheat Lawyers, New Zealand
Why the Need for Body Corporate Operational Rules? Often owners in a unit title complex find themselves in conflict with other owners or the governing body corporate over what they can do within their own unit, the building or the common area. Common ...
Mar 21, 2023
.png)
Are your company assets secure if you were to become liquidated? | Gibson Sheat Lawyers
Are Your Assets Secured Against Liquidation? Did you know that the liquidator of a company can sometimes lay claim to assets held by other companies in your group? This article will outline when a liquidator can do that and things you can do to increase ...
Mar 12, 2023
Unsure of how to renegotiate your commercial lease after a cyclone? | Malcolm Galloway | Gibson Sheat Lawyers
Malcolm Galloway is a partner in the commercial team. Leases: No Access - Total and Partial Destruction In March 2020 we wrote about how clause 27.5 of the ADLS Lease applied to situations where tenants were prevented from accessing their leased premises ...
Feb 27, 2023
Defaulting on your mortgage | Malcolm Galloway and Jordan Highstead | Gibson Sheat Lawyers
Malcolm Galloway is a partner in the commercial team, Jordan Highstead is a solicitor in the same team. Considering defaulting on your mortgage? With rising interest rates and increased cost of living it is inevitable that some will find themselves ...
Feb 7, 2023
How to prepare your business for sale in 2023
A Guide to Selling Your Business in 2023 Malcolm Galloway is a Partner at Gibson Sheat Lawyers in the commercial team. If you have ever sold a house (or been to an open home) then you will appreciate the importance of the house being made sale-ready. ...
Jan 15, 2023
Maintaining good governance for your club or sport organisation
Maintaining good governance for your club or sport organisation: There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to good governance.[1] Factors of good governance include, the diversity of the Board, the experience and capabilities of Board Members, ...
Nov 15, 2022
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism | Gibson Sheat Lawyers, Wellington
Gibson Sheat obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation. The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (the Act) reflects New Zealand’s commitment to the ...
Oct 4, 2022