Knowledge
Fair Pay Agreements: All about the Agreements
Tuesday 29 November, 2022
The country’s largest employment law change in decades has the potential to create higher wages and better conditions for employees across New Zealand. Taking effect on 1 December, 2022, the Fair Pay Agreements Act could fundamentally change New Zealand’s employment landscape by setting minimum terms and conditions for all employees in a particular industry or occupation.
Snapshot on fast-track consenting
Thursday 24 November, 2022
The Government’s proposal to make fast-track consenting (FTC) a permanent option in our future consenting regime is a good news story in the Natural and Built Environment Bill introduced last week. Judging by demand, the FTC regime has clearly provided a sought-after and much needed consenting option for projects that could not necessarily satisfy the national significance threshold.
Will 16-year-olds be voting at the next election?
Monday 21 November, 2022
In a huge win for New Zealand youth, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Government has not justified preventing 16 and 17-year-olds from voting. This landmark decision is the high point in a three-year campaign by Make it 16 to lower the voting age to 16.
Snapshot on Emergency/Social Housing
Monday 21 November, 2022
The effects of emergency and social housing, both positive and adverse, are currently the subject of heated debate in many of our communities. Amplified by local and national economies emerging into a post-COVID world and an increasing focus on residential density through a suite of plan changes, it is understandable that the Government wishes to limit procedural challenges and delays motivated by the Not in My Backyard phenomenon.
Better access to UK market getting closer for NZ exporters
Tuesday 15 November, 2022
New Zealand exporters are one step closer to greater access to the United Kingdom market, after Parliament passed legislation enabling New Zealand to implement its obligations under the comprehensive NZ-UK free trade agreement that it signed on 28 February, 2022
Gear up now for a new whistleblower law
Wednesday 2 November, 2022
Whistleblower legislation has been updated for the first time in 22 years to protect people who come forward and report serious wrongdoing in the workplace. The Protected Disclosures Act 2022 is a positive change for New Zealand and should instil greater confidence in employees that workplace issues will be dealt with through a robust process.