16 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
266 views
Attorney-General Chris Bishop announced the appointment of 12 new King’s Counsel, recognizing their exceptional skill and diverse expertise across areas such as criminal, commercial, environmental, Māori legal issues, and international law. These appointments, selected from over 100 applications, highlight the strength and specialist knowledge within New Zealand’s legal profession. The new King’s Counsel come from varied backgrounds and chambers, reflecting extensive experience in litigation, advocacy, and advisory roles both domestically and internationally.
16 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
245 views
From 1 July 2027, cruise ship passengers will pay significantly lower Border Processing Levy rates, with a net reduction of NZ$19.91 per person due to decreased arrival levies and a minimal increase in departure levies. The levy system aims to recover Customs’ border processing costs while ensuring secure and efficient border services, with rates regularly reviewed to reflect forecast costs and passenger volumes. Air travellers will see a slight overall increase of 32 cents per passenger, and early notice of these changes helps the travel and tourism sectors plan accordingly.
09 Oct 2026
1 month ago
386 views
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Leighvi Maynard of Gisborne and Nicola Graham of Napier as District Court Judges. Mr Maynard has extensive experience in criminal law, prosecution, and defense, having worked in various legal roles since 2006 and co-founded Rāwhiti Legal in 2024, while Ms Graham has a strong background as a crown prosecutor, sole practitioner, and Youth Advocate. Judge Maynard will serve at Napier District Court, sworn in on 21 November 2026, and Judge Graham will serve at Hamilton District Court, sworn in on 14 December 2026.
08 Oct 2026
1 month ago
407 views
The new Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Chief Executive Board (CEB) has convened to enhance government coordination and oversight in combating organised crime in New Zealand. The CEB, comprising senior officials from key agencies, aims to implement the TSOC Strategy and Action Plan, improve information sharing, and address system-wide challenges such as money laundering and migrant exploitation. Its initial focus will be on strengthening operational cohesion, particularly targeting the financial aspects of organised crime groups, while reviewing governance structures for increased effectiveness.
05 Oct 2026
1 month ago
288 views
The Proceeds of Crime Fund, managed by the Ministry of Justice, is allocating $14.587 million seized from criminals to nine initiatives aimed at reducing violence, preventing reoffending, and disrupting the drug trade in New Zealand. These initiatives focus on early intervention for at-risk youth, victim support, violence prevention, and enhancing Customs' drug detection capabilities. The funding reflects the government's commitment to exceeding targets for reducing violent crime victims and ensuring criminal proceeds are used to protect communities.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
468 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced reforms to New Zealand’s alcohol licensing system following a comprehensive Hospitality Sector Review, aiming to reduce red tape and make licensing easier, more cost-effective, and proportionate. The government accepted nearly all recommendations, including simplifying application processes, reforming fees, extending renewal periods, consolidating licensing types into a risk-based framework, and improving oversight through a nationwide information system. These changes are intended to support hospitality businesses, reduce delays and costs, and ultimately unlock economic potential by enabling Kiwi businesses to operate more efficiently.
09 Sep 2026
2 months ago
434 views
The Government Inquiry into the fatal landslides in Tauranga, which claimed eight lives in January 2026, will now report back in February 2027 following an extension request by the Inquiry Chair, Sir Mark O’Regan. The Inquiry aims to determine how the landslides occurred, assess agency responses, and identify lessons to prevent future tragedies, while incorporating findings from the Davison Review delivered in August 2026. Minister Brooke van Velden emphasized the need for a comprehensive report despite the delay, acknowledging the affected families’ and communities’ desire for timely answers.
04 Sep 2026
2 months ago
528 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomed Kathryn Wright, a Southland-based registered counsellor and rural mental health practitioner, to the Minister’s Arms Advisory Group (MAAG), highlighting her valuable experience with Mental Hunts, a charity supporting firearms users in rural communities. Wright’s expertise in mental health and understanding of the firearms community will aid in developing a firearms system that balances safety with fair treatment of licensed owners. Appointed for a three-year term starting August 2026, Wright replaces two non-firearm-owning members and brings a strong background in counselling and community engagement to the advisory group.
04 Sep 2026
2 months ago
503 views
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Christopher Morris as a District Court Judge, with his swearing-in scheduled for 22 October 2026 in Auckland. Mr Morris is an experienced sole practitioner in Auckland, formerly a partner at Cook Morris Quinn, and has worked extensively in criminal, regulatory, and civil law. His career includes roles at Bell Gully Buddle Weir, Meredith Connell, and the Crown Law Office, with appearances in high-profile trials and courts up to the Privy Council.
03 Sep 2026
2 months ago
600 views
The Crown has settled historic Treaty claims with Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, addressing grievances related to Crown actions in the Waikaremoana district through legislation passed in Parliament. The settlement includes adding approximately 12,000 hectares to Te Urewera, returning cultural properties, and providing $24 million in financial and commercial redress. This agreement supports Ngāti Ruapani's aspirations for cultural revitalization, economic development, and strengthened stewardship of their ancestral lands.
03 Sep 2026
2 months ago
651 views
The new State Redress Service provides survivors of abuse in State care with a single point of contact for information, new claims, and ongoing support, streamlining access across multiple agencies. It assigns one case manager for claims involving multiple agencies to simplify the redress process and reduce the need for survivors to repeatedly share their experiences. This service operates alongside existing agencies responsible for claim assessment and decision-making, as part of the government’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
03 Sep 2026
2 months ago
676 views
The Crown has finalized a nine-year negotiation with Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui, passing legislation that settles historical Treaty of Waitangi grievances including land loss and cultural impacts. The settlement provides $30 million in financial redress, $15.5 million for cultural revitalization, and the vesting of 27 culturally significant sites. This marks the conclusion of claims by the last of the four major Whanganui groups, acknowledging past injustices and supporting the restoration of their tikanga, reo, and resources.
03 Sep 2026
2 months ago
565 views
The New Zealand Government is establishing a multi-agency Chief Executive Board (CEB) on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) to enhance coordination and oversight in combating organised crime, with Minister Casey Costello designated as the lead. Alongside this, a standalone Trafficking in Persons Action Plan has been introduced to strengthen prevention, victim support, and enforcement against various forms of trafficking occurring within the country. These initiatives aim to protect vulnerable people, improve inter-agency collaboration, and make New Zealand a more difficult environment for organised crime and human trafficking networks.
01 Sep 2026
2 months ago
583 views
New legislation granting the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) enhanced powers to combat fraud has passed its final reading in Parliament, addressing challenges in obtaining digital evidence and managing investigations. The Bill allows the SFO to obtain all necessary electronic evidence, apply for search warrants orally, and control search sites to prevent interference, while also updating evidence admissibility rules. This aims to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to tackle increasing and complex fraud cases, protecting New Zealanders from significant financial losses and white-collar crime.
01 Sep 2026
2 months ago
497 views
New legislation granting the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) enhanced powers has passed Parliament to better combat the growing and complex issue of fraud in New Zealand, which causes significant financial losses and harm. The new law allows the SFO to obtain digital evidence more efficiently, apply for search warrants orally, manage search sites independently, and clarifies evidence admissibility and police support during investigations. These changes aim to close legal gaps, reduce red tape, and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to protect New Zealanders from white-collar crime.