Law News & Articles
New Zealand and French Agencies Seize 4.24 Tonnes of Cocaine in Pacific Operation
3 days ago | 71 viewsNew Zealand agencies, including Customs, Defence Force, and GCSB, collaborated with French authorities and the US DEA to intercept 4.24 tonnes of cocaine in French Polynesia as part of Operation Kiwa. This operation is the first major success of the Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Action Plan aimed at targeting maritime transnational crime networks in the Pacific. The campaign emphasizes international cooperation and enhanced intelligence and surveillance to protect New Zealand and its Pacific partners from organised crime.
Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand Customs Service New Zealand Defence Force Government Communications Security Bureau United States Drug Enforcement Agency French authorities Operation Kiwa Transnational Serious and Organised Crime French Polynesia New ZealandCrown and Ngāti Hāua Finalize Historic Treaty Settlement with $19M Redress
1 week ago | 123 viewsThe Crown and Ngāti Hāua have concluded nine years of negotiations with settlement legislation passing in Parliament, acknowledging historical Treaty breaches and returning 64 culturally significant sites along with $19 million in financial redress. The legislation also provides statutory pardons for Te Rangiātea and Mātene Ruta Te Whareaitu, who were wrongfully tried under martial law in 1846, restoring their mana and honouring their legacy. This settlement aims to restore the relationship between the Crown and Ngāti Hāua and support the iwi’s economic, social, and cultural wellbeing for future generations.
Tags: Ngāti Hāua Crown Treaty of Waitangi Paul Goldsmith Te Rangiātea Mātene Ruta Te Whareaitu Taumarunui Te Pua o Te Riri Kore New Zealand Parliament Treaty settlementJudith Collins Appointed President of NZ Law Commission, Will Leave Parliament in 2026
1 week ago | 99 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that Hon Judith Collins KC will be appointed President of the New Zealand Law Commission and will not stand as an MP in the 2026 election. Luxon praised Collins for her over two decades of dedicated public service, legal expertise, and leadership in various government roles. Collins will continue as an MP until her new position begins in mid-2026.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Judith Collins New Zealand Law Commission Sir Geoffrey Palmer New Zealand Parliament Minister Leader of the Opposition National Party Member of Parliament Hon Collins KCNew Zealand Unveils Stronger 5-Year Plan to Combat Organised Crime and Harm
1 month ago | 361 viewsAssociate Police Minister Casey Costello announced a new all-of-government strategy and action plan to combat Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) in New Zealand, aiming to make the country the hardest place for organised criminal groups to operate. The plan focuses on improving cross-agency coordination, information sharing, addressing methamphetamine harm, and strengthening community resilience through initiatives like ROCC. This five-year strategy responds to increasing organised crime threats, including drug trade and money laundering, and is informed by expert advice to enhance governance, accountability, and resource use across government agencies.
Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand TSOC Organised Crime Methamphetamine Ministerial Advisory Group Resilience to Organised Crime Transnational Crime Money Laundering Pacific NeighboursVictoria Louise Heine Appointed High Court Judge in Wellington Starting 2026
1 month ago | 301 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of Victoria Louise Heine as a High Court Judge, effective 16 February 2026, in Wellington. Justice Heine has a distinguished legal career, including roles as a partner at Chen Palmer and Chapman Tripp, a barrister sole, and an Adjunct Law Lecturer, with expertise in civil remedies, regulatory disputes, and arbitration. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University, a Master of Laws from the University of Chicago, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2021.
Tags: Judith Collins Victoria Louise Heine Wellington Victoria University of Wellington Russell McVeagh Chen Palmer Chapman Tripp Thorndon Chambers Singapore International Arbitration Centre Equestrian Sports New ZealandNZ to Allow Restaurants with Retail Areas to Sell Take-Home Alcohol
1 month ago | 313 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, allowing restaurants with on-site retail areas that sell takeaway food or non-alcoholic beverages to apply for an off-licence to sell alcohol for off-site consumption. This amendment removes restrictive rules that previously prevented such businesses from selling take-home alcohol, aiming to reduce red tape, support responsible operators, and foster entrepreneurial hospitality ventures. The reform, supported by MPs Chris Bishop and Mike Butterick, seeks to adapt regulations to modern business models and enhance customer choice.
Tags: Nicole McKee Chris Bishop Mike Butterick Associate Justice Minister Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act La Bella Italia Hutt South MP Government alcohol reforms restaurantsNew Zealand Passes Legislation to Speed Up Courts and Add High Court Judges
1 month ago | 333 viewsParliament has passed legislation aimed at improving court timeliness by updating procedures and increasing the number of High Court Judges from 55 to 60 to expedite serious cases. The Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill introduces measures to streamline case management, prevent abuse of court processes, and enhance judicial efficiency across various courts. These changes prioritize faster justice for victims and families, ensuring the justice system operates more effectively and responsively.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Nicole McKee High Court Judges Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill Senior Courts Act Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Court of Appeal Coroners Act 2006 New Zealand Justice systemTop of the South Land Returned to Māori Descendants with Public Access Secured
1 month ago | 265 viewsApproximately 7,583 acres of Top of the South land will be returned to descendants of its original Te Tauihu Māori owners following a private litigation dating back to the 1840s, with the Crown acknowledging its legal duty and agreeing to a $420 million payment. Despite the land transfer, public access to key areas like the Abel Tasman Coast Track and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve will continue uninterrupted under a 25-year agreement, ensuring ongoing use by visitors, schools, and local communities. This resolution differs from Treaty settlements as it involves returning land to rightful owners based on private property law, balancing legal ownership with current public and conservation uses.
Tags: Judith Collins Tama Potaka Rore Stafford Te Tauihu Māori Crown New Zealand Company Abel Tasman Great Walk Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve Supreme Court High CourtCrown Returns Historic Kororipo Pā to Ngāpuhi in Landmark Treaty Settlement
1 month ago | 380 viewsLegislation passed in Parliament returns the historic Kororipo Pā to Ngāpuhi, marking a significant step in advancing Treaty settlement negotiations and righting past wrongs. The pā, a vital site of learning, diplomacy, and trade, will transfer to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Trust in 2026, who will act as kaitiaki on behalf of Ngāpuhi while maintaining its historic reserve status and public access. This milestone reflects years of dedicated negotiations and honors the enduring relationships and shared history between the Crown and Ngāpuhi.
Tags: Ngāpuhi Kororipo Pā Paul Goldsmith Tama Potaka Ngāti Rēhia Treaty Negotiations Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Trust Treaty settlement New Zealand CrownNew Earthquake-Prone Building Law Brings $8.2B Relief for NZ Owners
1 month ago | 387 viewsNew legislation refocuses New Zealand's earthquake-prone building system to target only the highest-risk buildings, easing financial burdens on many owners by removing low-risk areas and smaller buildings from mandatory remediation. This approach is expected to save over $8.2 billion nationwide, preserve heritage buildings, and revitalize communities by allowing longer remediation deadlines and reducing unnecessary costs. The Bill, now with the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee, aims to balance safety with affordability while addressing regional seismic risks more appropriately.
Tags: Chris Penk New Zealand Building and Construction Minister seismic risk unreinforced masonry Auckland Northland Chatham Islands Transport and Infrastructure Select CommitteeNew Zealand Passes First Reading of New Planning Bills to Replace RMA in 2026
1 month ago | 394 viewsNew Zealand’s Parliament has passed the first reading of the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, which together will replace the Resource Management Act 1991 with a modern planning system aimed at boosting economic growth, simplifying regulations, and protecting the environment. The Planning Bill focuses on reducing red tape, consolidating regional plans, and streamlining consents, while the Natural Environment Bill sets clear environmental limits and promotes proportionate regulation with respect for property rights and Treaty settlements. These reforms are projected to save $13.3 billion over 30 years, facilitate infrastructure and housing development, support primary industries, and are open for public input through the select committee process before aiming for enactment in 2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA Reform Parliament environmental reform select committeeJustice Committee Extends Arms Bill Submission Period – Have Your Say Now
1 month ago | 255 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomes the Justice Select Committee’s extension of the submission period for the Arms Bill, encouraging New Zealanders to provide feedback to improve the legislation. She emphasizes the importance of input from licensed firearm owners and the public to create practical, responsible firearms laws through a thorough six-month consultation process. Early engagement has been significant, with over 8,500 submissions offering extensive feedback, and the new deadline for submissions is 16 February 2026.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Select Committee Arms Bill New Zealand Licenced Firearm Owner firearms law Justice Minister public consultation Arms Act rewrite New Zealand ParliamentNew Zealand Reforms Industrial Hemp Regulations to Boost Growth and Innovation
2 months ago | 291 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour announced reforms to scrap the outdated licensing regime for industrial hemp in New Zealand, replacing it with a more practical and proportionate approach that removes licenses and sets a clear THC threshold below 1%. These changes aim to reduce costs, encourage innovation, and generate significant economic benefits, while maintaining safeguards to prevent misuse and ensuring compliance with existing food safety and medicinal cannabis regulations. The Ministry of Health will lead implementation, reflecting the government's commitment to cutting red tape and improving regulatory standards for business growth.
Tags: David Seymour New Zealand industrial hemp Regulation Minister Ministry of Health Regulatory Standards Act medicinal cannabis Ministry for Regulation Parliamentary Council Office CabinetCrown Reaches Agreement in Principle to Settle Ngai Tai Treaty Claims
2 months ago | 257 viewsThe Crown has signed an agreement in principle to settle the historical Treaty claims of Ngai Tai, marking a significant step after claims were first submitted over 150 years ago. The settlement includes conservation land, $12 million in financial and commercial redress, and reserved marine space for aquaculture consents. This agreement acknowledges the Crown's past wrongs and initiates negotiations toward a comprehensive deed of settlement for Ngai Tai, an iwi based in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Tags: Ngai Tai Treaty of Waitangi Paul Goldsmith The Crown Whakaaetanga Matua Tōrere Bay of Plenty Treaty claims aquaculture deed of settlementNew Zealand Arms Bill Introduced: Strengthening Firearms Laws and Public Safety
2 months ago | 314 viewsThe Government has introduced the Arms Bill to Parliament to modernize New Zealand’s firearms laws, enhancing public safety while easing regulatory burdens on licensed owners. Key reforms include updating offences, disqualifying gang members from holding licences, creating an independent Firearms Regulatory Agency, and addressing emerging technologies like 3D printing. The Bill fulfills the ACT-National coalition’s commitment to rewrite the Arms Act 1983 and will undergo a six-month select committee process for public input.
Tags: Nicole McKee Arms Bill New Zealand firearms laws Firearms Regulatory Agency Firearms Licensing Review Committee Parliament Firearms Prohibition Orders 3D printing