A recent Court of Appeal decision confirms that cross‑lease neighbours are not required to agree to proposed alterations, but cannot refuse consent arbitrarily. Whether a refusal is reasonable depends on the impact of the work and the interests of both owners.

Property development involves a lot of moving parts. At Todd Walker, we work with clients across New Zealand to coordinate the legal, consent, and title processes that keep projects on track - from land acquisition through to completed lot sales.

How proposed resource management reform could affect development in Otago, with practical insights from the Wānaka McDonald’s decision.

Todd Walker is proud to announce 11 promotions across the firm, recognising outstanding talent in property, employment, criminal defence, family law and more.

The New Zealand Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal that could have important implications for property owners, developers, and neighbours who rely on shared accessways.

The New Zealand Police roadside testing ability has expanded in 2026. Late in 2025, Wellington based police conducted a test run of roadside oral drug testing. This will be implemented nationwide through 2026. 

A trust is a legal relationship between one party (trustees) and another party (beneficiaries) where the trustees hold and manage property for the benefit of the beneficiaries. A trust is not a separate legal entity in the eyes of the law, but it creates a fiduciary relationship where trustees hold, manage, invest and trade assets for beneficiaries.

New overseas investment rules taking effect on 6 March 2026 introduce a streamlined consent pathway for eligible investor visa holders buying or building high‑value residential property in New Zealand.

On 21 February 2026, the Employment Relations Amendment Bill became law, as the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2025 (Act). Here’s our take on the changes.

After separation, there are important timeframes that apply to dividing relationship property.

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill 2026 proposes changes to risk prioritisation, small PCBU obligations and compliance under HSWA.

The Council’s acceptance of the Independent Hearings Panel’s recommendations marks a significant moment for Arrowtown, following strong local opposition to the proposed height and density changes.

Major reforms to the High Court Rules are reshaping how civil disputes progress, placing a stronger focus on proportionality, early disclosure, and more active judicial case management