Legal Guide to Life in New Zealand

As part of our commitment to your financial wellbeing, we have compiled the following series of articles on your legal aspects of your new life in New Zealand.

Many of New Zealand's laws have been based on the UK legal system, and New  Zealand is not a particularly litigious society, so once you have the basics sorted out you should not be in for too many surprises as you get on with your life in New Zealand.

Most Brits emigrating to New Zealand know that they'll need to sort out their drivers' license and figure out the new road rules when they move to New Zealand, and will also contact a soliciter when they buy a house. But it may pay you to also consider updating your will and sorting out enduring powers of attorney. And you may even like to look into setting up a family trust, a surprisingly common transaction in New Zealand that can help to ensure the safety of your assets.

Find out also what happens to a couple's assets if their relationship breaks up in New Zealand , and how to register to vote, and whether you have to vote. You may also be interested in a recent piece of legislation in New Zealand, the so-called "anti-smacking" law dealing with the discipline of children.

Our articles on Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney and Legal Aspects of Buying Property in New Zealand were contributed by noted Christchurch lawyer Annabel Sheppard from Wynn Williams & Co. 

• Making a New Zealand Will- will you need to make a new will when you emigrate to New Zealand?
• New Zealand Power of Attorney - setting up an enduring power of attorney in New Zealand can help to protect you and your family.
• New Zealand Trust Law - a guide to New Zealand family trusts for Brits emigrating to New Zealand.
• Voting in New Zealand - a guide to the registering to vote in New Zealand elections for Brits emigrating to New Zealand.
• New Zealand Citizenship - when can you apply to become a New Zealand citizen?
  
• New Zealand's Property Relationships Act - a guide to NZ's Property Relationships Act, which governs how your assets are divided if your marriage or relationship breaks up in New Zealand.
• New Zealand's "Anti-Smacking" Law - an introduction to New Zealand's controversial "Anti-Smacking" Law.

You may also find the following articles useful:

• Legal Guide to Buying a House in New Zealand in the New Zealand Real Estate section of our website,
  
• New Zealand Driver Licensing and the New Zealand Road Code in the Driving in New Zealand section of our website, and
• New Zealand Emplyment Law in our Working in New Zealand section.