Ports Must Avoid Effects On Outstanding Coastal Environments

In the recent decision Environmental Defence Society Inc v Otago Regional Council [2019] NZHC 2278 the High Court has overturned an interim decision of the Environment Court concerning provision for ports in the Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement (PORPS). This decision further reinforces the sea change in application of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) since the Supreme Court’s 2014 decision in Environmental Defence Soc Inc v New Zealand King Salmon Co Ltd [2014] NZSC 38 concerning giving effect to directive avoidance policies in the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS).

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The Resource Management Amendment Bill

The Resource Management Amendment Bill was introduced earlier this week.  The Bill includes revisiting restrictions on public notification and appeals, reinstating financial contributions and adding a new specialised process for freshwater decision-making.  You can view the full list of proposals in the Explanatory Note at the following link:

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As your life changes so should your Will

We all lead busy lives.  Our circumstances, and those of our family, change.  As our lives change our wills and other personal documents also need changing, or at least reviewing. 

A recent case (Sutton & Ors v Public Trust [2015] NZHC 1844 [6 August 2015]) highlights what can happen when your will has not been updated to meet a change in circumstances.  It also highlights that you need to be sure that what your will says is what you want.  Does the person drafting your will know your personal circumstances.  Do they know you? 

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Enduring Powers of Attorney - What you need to know

In December 2016 amendments to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1998 (“PPPR Act”) were passed by Parliament. These amendments will come into force on 16 March 2017. Among the amendments that have been made are regulations to adopt new forms of the enduring powers of attorney (EPA). From 16 March 2017 these new forms will need to be used. If you have completed an EPA using the old forms but you and/or your attorney have not signed them before 16 March 2017, then these will need to be redone on a new form.

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Enduring Powers of Attorney

Enduring powers of attorney (EPA) may be used to cover situations in which a person does not have the ability to manage his or her own affairs.

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Who do you want to control your Estate?

It is estimated that only about half of New Zealand adults have a will. Even where there is a will in place, it may no longer be valid (a will is revoked on marriage or civil union) or relevant to the will-maker's current circumstances. Our busy lives mean many people delay signing and/or updating their will. The consequences of dying without a valid will are often not appreciated.

Family dynamics are much more complicated in our modern world. Blended families, that is where at least one of the partners has a child not biologically related to the other partner, are common. People are re-partnering later in their lives. These factors result in complicated and more frequent family disputes upon the death of a loved one. These can be minimised where there is a valid will and appropriate estate planning.

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