News

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.

Parliament’s Environment Committee is considering the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill (“Bill”). Franks Ogilvie submitted on the Bill, drawing on our experience advising clients under the current environmental and consenting system. We support the Bill’s direction but identify several opportunities to strengthen its ability to deliver timely, certain, and enabling development decisions.

The Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s quashing of a takedown order of online reporting of the extensive criminal conviction of Damon Exley. The substantive trial had already concluded, but this decision significantly expanded the availability of takedown orders for criminal defendants.

Rather than delivering services directly, agencies now contract widely with private providers for core operations and specialist support. To manage risks and ensure public procurement is fair, competitive, and transparent, the government has adopted the Government Procurement Rules.