News

The High Court held that the court’s power under the Gangs Act 2024 to order seized gang insignia to be “destroyed or otherwise disposed of” could not be used to return a seized Mongrel Mob patch to its owner. The decision is significant in re-asserting a more orthodox approach to statutory interpretation that places greater emphasis on the statutory text.

The Court of Appeal held that mine shafts could not be consented on an unformed ‘paper’ road on conservation land for gold mining operations.

Before rising for the 2026 election, the House of Representatives adopted new rules for the operation of the next Parliament. The changes include a new Legislative Scrutiny Committee, revised procedures for passing legislation under urgency and new guidance on how select committees should approach public submissions.

Parliament’s Governance and Administration Committee is considering the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill (“Bill”). Franks Ogilvie submitted on this bill, making suggestions on how the Bill could better promote democratic accountability in local government and reduce wasteful spending.

In the lead-up to general elections, successive governments have chosen to exercise restraint in how they make decisions. These arrangements are sometimes loosely referred to as the “caretaker convention” or “caretaker conventions”. Strictly, the Cabinet Manual uses the term “caretaker convention” for the arrangements that apply after an election, or where a Government has clearly lost the confidence of the House. Different protocols apply during the pre-election period, as set out in the Cabinet Manual, a Cabinet Office Circular and guidance from the Public Service Commission.

Local residents and iwi failed in their challenge to the extension of a water bottling plant on plastic pollution grounds, with the Supreme Court dismissing their appeals by a majority.

The Environment Committee reported back on RMA replacement bills, recommending some significant changes and retentions. However, this is not the end of the story. The government has signalled further significant changes for the Bills since the Committee’s report was published.

Wellington public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie has gained Marcus Ganley as a Director of the firm, effective immediately

The Arms Act 2026 is an overhaul of the Arms Act 1983, making significant changes to the regulation of firearms in New Zealand.