Zoning out amenity
Mike Doesburg, a partner at Wynn Williams, asks: what will land use plans look like in a system deliberately blind to visual amenity? The topic...
Category : Legal
A lesson in hazard landscapes
Photo: NZ Defence Force. Cyclone Gabrielle left more than physical devastation in its wake. It also prompted difficult legal questions about risk, responsibility and the...
Fast-track Approvals Bill update
The Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill (the Bill) had its first reading this month (November) and is expected to pass into law by the end of...
Leaky home lessons
The High Court decision of Keys & Others v Patterson & Others [2025] NZHC 2676 was a leaky building case highlighting issues for councils involved...
Government sets consent expectations
Chris Bishop, the Minister for RMA Reform, along with the Ministers for Agriculture and the Environment, has sent clear expectations to all regional and unitary...
Seismic sense on its way
The earthquake-prone building system brought in almost 10 years ago as a reaction to the Christchurch quakes will be refocused to reduce repair costs. “While...
Lesson from High Court ruling on traffic measures
A self-represented law student has had success in the High Court over a raised pedestrian crossing and speed humps installed on a beachside street, but...
Water services reform: What’s happening, and when?
We have received a number of questions about Government changes to water services delivery, write Paul Buetow, Partner; Ezekiel Hudspith, Partner; and Miles Rout, Solicitor...
Right to know – withholding information
Image: Birmingham City Council House. In our local government system, local authorities are served by two separate yet equally important groups: the elected councillors who...
More overseas building products – the risks
The Government is making it easier for overseas building products to be used here by providing assurance that building consent authorities will accept them as...