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Increasing visibility by revenue authorities on New Zealand investments

Increasing visibility by revenue authorities on New Zealand investments

Non-resident investors are seeing signs of increased visibility by revenue authorities on their New Zealand investments. With no prior notice, income tax returns for non-residents now include a requirement for the foreign tax identification number (TIN) and jurisdiction of tax residency.  Needless to say, many taxpayers are querying why this has happened.

By Lee Harris - 15 Nov 2023

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Can I buy a property without an agreement for sale and purchase?

Can I buy a property without an agreement for sale and purchase?

Most people who have purchased properties are familiar with the standard forms of agreements for sale and purchase. Section 24 of the Property Law Act 2007 (Act) specifically says that to sell or purchase property, a contract must be in writing and signed. Long gone are the days of handshake agreements - or are they?

By Kiren Narayanan - 9 Nov 2023

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Can a non-will still become a will? Validating invalidity

Can a non-will still become a will? Validating invalidity

Section 11 of the Wills Act 2007 (Wills Act) outlines the requirements for a document to be considered a valid will. Such document must be in writing, signed by the will-maker or by another person at the will-maker's direction, and witnessed by at least two independent witnesses. It is not uncommon for wills to fail to meet these requirements if they have been drawn up without the assistance of a lawyer or have not been properly executed prior to a person's death. It is not the end of the road however, if a person dies with an invalid will.

By Katie Kennedy - 28 Jun 2023

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Employment law update

Employment law update

The Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Act 2023 came into force on 13 June. This change allows an employee up to 12 months to raise a personal grievance for sexual harassment, instead of having to do so within 90 days. Employers are required to change employment agreements from that date.

By Kathryn McKinney - 15 Jun 2023

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French Kiwis – children and assets and the repercussions following death / Kiwis Français – enfants et actifs et les répercussions de décès

French Kiwis – children and assets and the repercussions following death / Kiwis Français – enfants et actifs et les répercussions de décès

In this webinar, Lee Harris (Martelli McKegg, NZ) and Charles-Henry Tournaire (Requirem Family Office, France) will discuss how child custody and assets in France and New Zealand are treated differently on death, and the mess that can arise upon death when estate planning doesn't factor in those differences.

By Lee Harris - 12 Jun 2023

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Ownership of foreign assets and emigration – why cross-border estate planning is a pressing issue

Ownership of foreign assets and emigration – why cross-border estate planning is a pressing issue

More than a quarter of New Zealand's population is born overseas (and more than 70% of us can trace our roots to Europe).  While these statistics reflect how attractive New Zealand is as a destination for a new life and opportunity it also means that when dealing with estates and estate planning, with assets dispersed worldwide, we must carefully navigate conflicting laws.

By Lee Harris - 1 Jun 2023

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Contesting transfer of assets to a trust in exceptional circumstances

Contesting transfer of assets to a trust in exceptional circumstances

In the most recent STEP Journal article, Polina unpacks a recent decision issued by the NZ High Court concerning a breach of fiduciary duty to an adult child. This case broke new legal ground as it introduced a new tort: breaching a fiduciary duty to an adult child.

By Polina Kozlova - 1 May 2023

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Martelli McKegg features in Maison et Jardin (the French equivalent of House and Garden)

Martelli McKegg features in Maison et Jardin (the French equivalent of House and Garden)

Martelli McKegg's ability to assist francophone clients with their New Zealand investments is featured in a Maison et Jardin article, the equivalent of House & Garden in France with a readership of 1,148,000.

By Lee Harris - 28 Mar 2023

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Divorce - what is it good for?

Divorce - what is it good for?

Separating from your spouse may be what ends your relationship in practical terms, but remaining married, even after years of separation, can have unexpected consequences.

By Telise Kelly - 9 Mar 2023

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Webinar for Francophone clients with assets in New Zealand

Webinar for Francophone clients with assets in New Zealand

Our French speaking team has prepared a webinar to discuss the unexpected consequences of holding assets in New Zealand when you have ties to the francophone world. This webinar explores some of the problems arising from this and the differences in New Zealand law and the laws in French Polynesia, France and New Caledonia.

Please note this webinar is conducted in French.

By Lee Harris - 16 Nov 2022

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