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

The art of copyright treatment in relationship breakups
Friday 14 March, 2025
The Supreme Court’s decision in Alalääkkölä v Palmer confirms that copyrights are property for the purposes of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (PRA) and they may also be relationship property. This decision examines the unique nature of copyright and highlights the importance of having a ‘contracting out’ agreement when it comes to preserving your rights in intellectual property in the event of a relationship breakdown.


Court of Appeal Clarifies Gambling Licence Transfers
Monday 10 March, 2025
The Court of Appeal has ruled that businesses relocating cannot transfer their Class 4 venue licences under the Gambling Act 2003 without territorial authority consent. The case, GMA v FFNP, overturns the previous Waikiwi precedent, which allowed licence transfers in certain circumstances.

Cyber security - one step ahead
Monday 9 December, 2024
In today’s digital landscape, cyber security is a critical concern for businesses of all sizes. However, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in New Zealand are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. Despite their smaller size, SMEs often handle sensitive data and maintain connections with larger organisations, making them attractive targets for cyber criminals.

A Fair Deal for Funny: NZ's Copyright Bill puts parody and satire in the spotlight
Wednesday 27 November, 2024
New Zealand comedians and satirists may soon find themselves with a little more freedom to poke fun at and critique the world around them, thanks to the drawing of the Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill (the Bill).

Immovables Rule Unmoved in Common Law
Friday 22 November, 2024
The common law operates to prevent bankruptcy orders in foreign jurisdictions affecting land in New Zealand. The United Kingdom Supreme Court has confirmed the common law “immovables rule” by dismissing the appeal in Kireeva v Bedzhamov. The common law will not give effect to judicial decisions of foreign countries insofar as they affect rights in immovable property in the home country.