News and views

New Zealand has become a Mecca for travellers from all over the world, drawn here by our incredible scenery and adventure-filled lifestyle. But many of the people who come here on tourist visas end up working on farms and orchards, or in bars and backpackers.

​Restraint of trade clauses are common in the sale and purchase of a business and in some employment agreements. In a business context, they offer protection to a buyer who has acquired a business and prevent the seller from directly competing against the buyer. A restraint provision in an employment context is designed to protect the employer’s business interests when key employees leave. There’s a general perception that these clauses are difficult to enforce, so why bother?​​

Innovation has seen a number of plant-based meat alternatives grow in popularity. These plant-based products often use terms such as ‘milk' or ‘patty’ to label their products. European authorities are currently looking at whether such terms should be restricted to use with animal-based products only. Here in New Zealand, Federated Farmers has indicated that it may push the government to follow suit.

Significant changes post-M.bovis The NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) system was first introduced in 2012 and came into effect progressively until it was fully implemented on 29 February 2016. Any completely new system is likely to need a review after being in operation for a period of time.

If you’re in business and employ staff, there is a raft of newly-implemented and incoming employment changes – and, you need to be not only across them, but actively prepared.

Your business is growing and heading in the right direction – but at the same time you have new responsibilities and risks.

Employers have a thousand new reasons to ensure all employment agreements are in writing as of May 6.

In light of recent difficulties in the construction industry, not taking protective measures opens subcontractors up to recovery and enforcement issues. If you are a subcontractor, you should think about how to prevent your tools and equipment (including cranes and scaffolding) from being seized and sold by a receiver, and to ensure you have the best chance of getting paid.