News

The Court of Appeal declined to make a declaration excluding the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith from the Royal Commission into abuse in state and faith-based care.

The Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 (“FTCA”) was enacted to facilitate economic and social recovery from the impacts of Covid-19. It allowed referred and listed projects to be consented by an expert panel rather than requiring them to go through ordinary resource consenting procedures.

A real-estate agent was awarded more than $75,000 in Baigent damages because his fair trial rights were breached during an Inland Revenue tax investigation.

A non-profit organisation successfully applied for a declaration that a non-statutory process that allowed pokie machine operators to relocate was unlawful under the Gambling Act 2003.

In August 2022, Local Government New Zealand released its template document “The guide to LGNZ standing orders: He aratohu i te anga tikanga whakahaere hui a LGNZ”. This document is meant to guide councils on updating their standing orders, which LGNZ encourages them to do following a local body election. Franks Ogilvie has examined whether this Guide reflects the legal obligations of local authorities.

An iwi leader successfully appealed a decision striking out his climate-change based tort claims against several major greenhouse gas emitters.

Better Public Media Trust (“Trust”) applied to be a registered charity under the Charities Act 2005. Their application was denied by the Charities Registration Board (“Board”), and a subsequent appeal to the High Court was dismissed. The Trust successfully appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal.

The change of government means new priorities and standards for New Zealand’s employment law. This Explainer outlines some of the changes that have been implemented already, and the changes that employers can expect.

The Government has introduced the Fast Track Approvals Bill. Franks Ogilvie made a select committee submission particularly focusing on the privative clauses (or limits thereof).