Our individual talent drives our collective excellence
We work together across the firm as one team. Our diversity fuels our culture. Our people's backgrounds, cultures, experiences and skills drive fresh thinking, new ideas, unique perspectives and insights, allowing us to collectively develop new and better solutions for our clients.
Find out moreRegionally present. Nationally focused. Globally connected.
We are the law firm at the centre of New Zealand's economic and commercial heartland. We strive to make a tangible difference to the communities we serve and to New Zealand through our work and the outcomes we create.
Find out moreWe help our clients make confident decisions.
Utilising the knowledge and experience of our whole firm, we give practical advice, drawing on the depth of our expertise to develop effective solutions for our clients, allowing them to achieve their goals and desired outcomes.
Find out moreTompkins Wake is powered by the collective knowledge and experience of our team of experts. Our clients get the best knowledge, experience and expertise from across the firm on every matter.
Our Expertise
Tompkins Wake is the law firm that clients turn to for help on the matters most important to them. We use our collective knowledge and expertise to develop solutions to the complex and sophisticated challenges our clients present.
New Zealand's Mid-Sized Law Firm of the Year for 2019, 2020 and 2021 (New Zealand Law Awards), Tompkins Wake is recognised globally for the quality and impact of our work and our exceptional people.
Knowledge
![Supermac’s take on the BIG MAC – EU Trade Mark Revocation](/assets/Uploads/Supermacs-take-on-the-BIG-MAC-EU-Trade-Mark-Revocation-Thumbnail-Images.png)
Supermac’s take on the BIG MAC – EU Trade Mark Revocation
Monday 22 July, 2024
McDonald’s has faced a significant setback in the European Union, with the EU General Court ruling that its BIG MAC mark will now only cover meat sandwiches, edible sandwiches and foods prepared from meat products. This decision has been described as a wakeup call to owners of well-known trade marks.
![Overseas online businesses beware, your dispute resolution clause could be unfair](/assets/Uploads/Overseas-Online-Businesses-Beware-Website-Thumbnail.png)
Overseas online businesses beware, your dispute resolution clause could be unfair
Wednesday 26 June, 2024
The New Zealand High Court has ordered viagogo AG, a global online marketplace for the resale of event tickets with no physical presence in NZ, to correct misleading information on its website and change certain ‘unfair’ customer terms in Commerce Commission v Viagogo AG.
![Changes to the Charities Act 2005: What You Need to Know](/assets/Uploads/Changes-to-the-Charities-Act-2005-What-You-Need-to-Know-Thumbnail-Images.png)
Changes to the Charities Act 2005: What You Need to Know
Thursday 20 June, 2024
Charities, and the law that governs them, shape the way we can make a positive impact in our communities. If you are involved with a charity, you should be aware of some recent law changes. The rulebook has been tweaked!
![Relationship Breakdowns: The Value of Mediation over Court](/assets/Uploads/Choosing-Mediation-Compassionate-Cost-Effective-Solutions-Thumbnail-Images.png)
Relationship Breakdowns: The Value of Mediation over Court
Tuesday 11 June, 2024
Navigating the consequences of a relationship breakdown can be challenging. However, mediation is increasingly recognised as an effective method to transform relationships and resolve conflict, with more people choosing it as an alternative to court proceedings. Mediation within the context of a relationship breakdown offers unique advantages to dispute resolution, including a more compassionate, efficient, cost-effective and personalised resolution proces...
![From Feta to Prosecco: Key changes to the Geographical Indications Act](/assets/Uploads/Key-changes-to-the-Geographical-Indications-Act-Thumbnail-Images.png)
From Feta to Prosecco: Key changes to the Geographical Indications Act
Wednesday 29 May, 2024
Amendments to the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Act 2006 (the Act) came into effect on 1 May 2024. These amendments recognise around 2000 European geographical indications (GIs) for food and beverages and will impact on the ability of traders to use certain terms to describe their products.
If your products are affected by these changes, you will need to become acquainted with the newly protected GIs under the scheme. Make sur...
![Sink or Swim: Council Swimming Pool Inspections](/assets/Uploads/Sink-or-Swim-Website-Thumbnail.png)
Sink or Swim: Council Swimming Pool Inspections
Tuesday 21 May, 2024
A recent Court of Appeal decision has reversed an earlier High Court decision that awarded a couple over $270,000.00 in damages for a failure by the Tasman District Council (the Council) to advise that a swimming pool fence did not comply with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987.