A recent decision in the Napier High Court, WL v AJ [2023] NZHC 703, is a timely reminder that seeking independent legal advice is crucial for a pre-nuptial agreement (pre- nup) to be valid and enforceable. The decision also demonstrates the consequences of not getting the right advice. Understanding the
Invariably, the first question I get asked by the potential buyer of a business is, “Why are the owners selling?” That question is driven by a natural concern that there might be something wrong with the business, “If it’s such a good business, why do they want to sell?” I
At times of market and economic uncertainty, combined with relatively low expected returns for many asset classes, we should consider more widely the assets we hold. It’s important to have a portfolio strategy, designed with discipline, embracing market opportunities while preparing for the unexpected. There are several components of a
The start of 2023 has been a rough one. Cyclone Gabrielle and the subsequent flooding brought a degree of destruction not seen in the Hawke’s Bay for decades. If we have learnt anything over these last few years following a global pandemic, lockdowns and cost of living crisis, it is
Article by Edward Bostock, Director and Kelly Henderson, Legal Executive One of the most significant impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle has been the damage and destruction to commercial and residential properties in Hawke’s Bay. Building officers are completing rapid building assessments on properties effected by the Cyclone. To date, there are
It was anticipated as a year of positivity, business as usual and moving on, but 2023 so far has not been what Hawke’s Bay expected. From a people and business perspective, managing through a disaster creates additional issues to navigate. Resilient Organisations, a research and consultancy group, classify the stages
There is nothing like a natural disaster such as Cyclone Gabrielle to once again have the spotlight shone firmly on ensuring your property is adequately insured in the event of loss and damage. The way Kiwi homes were insured largely changed following the devastation of the Canterbury earthquakes with a
The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has been felt, and will continue to be felt by many, and across many sectors. Suffice to say that many families and businesses have been massively affected. From a resource management perspective, new legislation has been introduced to assist initial recovery responses, and various planning
Over the course of the last several years, we have seen three major events that forced us to reassess our business continuity and disaster recovery planning. The Christchurch earthquake of 2011 initiated a shift towards cloud technology in preparation for office access becoming more unpredictable. 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic solidified remote
It’s been a tough couple of months for many with Cyclone Gabrielle having wreaked havoc across our beautiful region. Over 40,000 insurance claims have been lodged. The cost attached to these claims is around $890 million of which around $70m has been paid, according to The Insurance Council of New
