News & Publications

Employment Law Update March 2017 – Update your employment agreements

Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 28 2017

Employers have until 1 April 2017 to update their employment agreements. In 2016 changes were made to the Employment Relations Act 2000 regarding zero-hour contracts (called availability provisions), shift cancellations, secondary employment clauses and wage deduction clauses. The... Read the rest of this entry

Announcing a new appointment: Emma Liu

Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 21 2017

As we bid farewell to Raymond Huo (a new Member of Parliament), we welcome Emma Liu – our Asian Practice Development Manager. Since her early post-university training in the city of Shanghai, Emma has traversed successful careers in financial services, marketing and property... Read the rest of this entry

Introducing a new Senior Associate

Posted by Benefitz Admin on February 19 2017

Shieff Angland are pleased to announce the appointment of Shan Langston as Senior Associate. Shan is a member of the firm’s litigation team specialising in commercial litigation. Her experience includes assisting clients in disputes relating to tortious and contractual... Read the rest of this entry

Intellectual Property Scams

Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 4 2016

We have received an increasing amount of letters addressed to our clients that include unsolicited requests for payments to third party scam organisations. These letters target recent trade mark applicants, posing as official “trade mark database” or “government”... Read the rest of this entry

Health and Safety Reform – Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 6 2016

Health and Safety Update The Health and Safety Reform Bill has been passed by Parliament and will come into effect on 4 April 2016. The new Act, called the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, provides for a significant overhaul of New Zealand’s health and safety legislation. As... Read the rest of this entry

Employment Law Update September 2015 – Two pieces of employment legislation

Posted by Benefitz Admin on September 7 2015

A package of measures aimed at preventing unfair employment practices such as “zero-hour contracts” was introduced to Parliament on 13 August 2015. Read the rest of this entry

Health and Safety Changes: New draft regulations

Posted by Benefitz Admin on June 18 2015

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has recently released consultation drafts of certain regulations that are to accompany the Health and Safety Reform Bill introduced to parliament in March 2014. Read the rest of this entry

Employment Law Update February 2015 – New Year New Law

Posted by Benefitz Admin on February 26 2015

Changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 regarding collective bargaining in particular were launched by the last National Government but then shelved in 2013 when National was unable to gain a majority to pass the changes due to the resignation of John Banks. Read the rest of this entry

Introducing 2 new Partners

Posted by Benefitz Admin on February 16 2015

Shieff Angland welcomes two new partners, Raymond Huo and Shelley Eden. Read the rest of this entry

Health and Safety changes: new obligations

Posted by Benefitz Admin on August 12 2014

In March this year the Government introduced the Health and Safety Reform Bill to Parliament.  Modelled closely on the Australian Model Work Health and Safety Act, the Bill will replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Machinery Act 1950. With new duties, especially for... Read the rest of this entry

Employment Law Update

Posted by Benefitz Admin on August 12 2014

Paid parental leave entitlements Following the Budget 2014 the Government is set to increase the maximum parental leave payment for eligible parents. Amongst other changes the length of leave eligible parents will be able to take is set to increase in two stages. To be eligible for... Read the rest of this entry

Good trademark news for China traders

Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 12 2014

The long anticipated changes to China’s Trade Mark Law came into effect on 1 May 2014. The newly adopted amendments will be welcomed by many international companies that are either exporting to or from China. China’s Trade Mark System China, like New Zealand, is party to... Read the rest of this entry

Best practice guidelines to prevent bullying

Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 12 2014

In February 2014 Worksafe New Zealand released its best practice guidelines for preventing and responding to bullying in the workplace. Bullying in the workplace is an issue that many employers find difficult to deal with.  There are issues in dealing with both the victim and the... Read the rest of this entry

New Financial Reporting Framework for Companies

Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 7 2014

The Financial Reporting Act 2013 and most of the Financial Reporting (Amendments to Other Enactments) Act 2013 came into force on 1 April 2014 bringing a number of positive and timely changes to financial reporting for small and medium sized companies. From 1 April, most companies will no... Read the rest of this entry

Mobil not liable to pay Auckland Waterfront $10m in damages

Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 27 2014

Mobil not liable to pay Auckland Waterfront $10m in damages to remove or contain subsurface contamination. A recent case has highlighted the kind of dispute that can arise over clean up obligations at the end of tenancies. In the recent High Court case of Auckland Waterfront... Read the rest of this entry

Financial Markets Conduct Act

Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 17 2014

Phase 1 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 will come into force on 1 April 2014. Commerce Minister Craig Foss announced on 27 February 2014 that Cabinet has approved regulations for Phase 1 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 as part of the Government’s financial market... Read the rest of this entry

Doing Business in New Zealand

Posted by Benefitz Admin on March 14 2014

The firm considers and comments on interesting and important developments (likely to impact upon our clients’ businesses) in our key practice areas of property, commercial and litigation Read the rest of this entry

Workplace Health and Safety Reform

Posted by Benefitz Admin on November 20 2013

In August this year the government released a blueprint proposing significant changes to New Zealand’s workplace health and safety system.  The changes are based on the Australian Model Work Health and Safety Act and aim to provide clear and consistent information for employers on how... Read the rest of this entry

Introducing 2 new partners

Posted by Benefitz Admin on July 12 2013

Shieff Angland is pleased to announce the appointment of two new partners, Kellie Bright and Kalev Crossland. Kellie Bright is a specialist corporate, commercial and trust lawyer. Kellie has significant experience in advising on business acquisitions, mergers, restructurings, corporate... Read the rest of this entry

New Food Standard 1.2.7 – Nutrition, Health and Related Claims

Posted by Benefitz Admin on May 13 2013

All food businesses need to be aware of the introduction of a new food standard which has significantly changed the nutrition and health claims that can be made on labels and advertising of food. The new standard 1.2.7 became law on 18 January 2013. It will work alongside the current... Read the rest of this entry