News

The Government is shifting the employment law landscape to better balance employee protections with the needs of businesses. This explainer addresses three legislative changes: 1. The Employment Relations Amendment Act (“ERAA”) which came into effect on 20 February 2026; 2. The Privacy Amendment Act 2025 (“PAA”), which creates a new information privacy principle that will apply to information collected after 1 May 2026; and 3. The Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill (“TBAB”), which is awaiting its second reading.

The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Uber’s appeal, upholding the Court of Appeal’s decision that the true nature of the relationship between Uber and its drivers, was one of employment.

The Legal Complaints Review Officer vacated a lawyer professional disciplinary committee’s fine and censure of Stephen Franks and Franks Ogilvie. The LCRO has released an extraordinarily prompt and unequivocal decision.

Stephen Franks and Franks Ogilvie were found, by the LCRO to have not engaged in unsatisfactory conduct by sending a letter on client instructions advancing its policy interests regarding gender affirming care.

Three vaping businesses were unsuccessful in challenging regulations setting the maximum permissible nicotine concentration in vaping products.

The Regulatory Standards Act 2025 (“Act”) sets standards of legislative quality and provides for assessment against those standards. Most of the Act comes into force at a date set by the Governor-General, but no later than 1 July 2026.

As New Zealand approaches an election year, the challenge of regulating artificial intelligence in political campaigns is becoming increasingly urgent. Special Counsel Marcus Ganley has been at the forefront of this critical discussion, contributing expert analysis on how AI is already reshaping electoral politics.

Franks Ogilvie will be closed from 24 December 2025 - 11 January 2026.

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.