V8 Supercars Report - How Good Ideas Go Bad

The alarming report of Audit NZ into events surrounding Hamilton City Council's sponsorship of the V8 Supercars Event is a sad illustration of what can happen when enthusiasm for an event is allowed to supersede good governance.  Read more

By Linda O'Reilly

Published nzherald.co.nz Thursday 17 November 2011

Adventure Tourism Regulations: "She'll be right" – will she?

The Adventure Activities regulations have been gazetted. They require adventure tourism and outdoor education operators, who provide activities that are designed to deliberately expose participants to a risk of serious harm, to undergo a safety audit and be registered. From 1 November 2014, it will be an offence under section 50 Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 to provide an adventure activity unless the operator is registered as an "adventure activity operator". Under this section, depending on the type of offence, fines can be up to $250,000.  Read more

By Erin Davies

Previously published in Inside Tourism, Issue 857, 3 November 2011

Cyberspace Piracy – A Compromise

The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill was rushed through its final reading last month and is now law. Most of its provisions relating to internet copyright infringement come into force on 1 September. The Bill was introduced to replace a controversial scheme that could have resulted in many unwarranted disconnections from the internet. Now that it is law, it is timely to remind those of you who provide internet access to your customers and staff, of the possible consequences of doing so.  Read more

By John Ferner

First published in Inside Tourism, Issue 831, 5 May 2011

Brookers' Local Government Handbook 2010

Brookfields is delighted to be associated with Brookers' Local Government Handbook 2010.  Consolidated to 1 November 2010, this handbook provides in one volume the key legislation relevant to the area of local government law, with particular emphasis on the Auckland Council reorganisation. This title also features a comprehensive introduction by Linda O'Reilly (Partner, Brookfields).

Linda's introduction includes a table that lists, according to topic, key sections of the primary legislation to constitute the new Auckland Council and governance structures.

Twice as Nice for Family Law Specialists

Continuing a long run of industry recognition, Brookfields Lawyers recently received the coveted gold medal from the New Zealand Law Awards, for the second time, as winners of the Action Step Family Law Award 2010.

Partner Janice Harland campaigned hard for Brookfields to enter and is thrilled the win recognises her team, particularly in the Manukau office, which is heavily involved in the community with local charities.

"Because the awards are voted for by clients, we're happy to be seen as the best family law team in the eyes of those that have really needed our help," says Harland, whose team won the same award in 2008 and was a finalist in 2009.

The awards were announced at a black tie Awards ceremony at the Auckland Museum Event Centre last week. Now in its sixth year, they are the highlight of the New Zealand legal calendar and the only event in New Zealand to celebrate and reward excellence in client service as judged by clients and in-house legal teams.

"People tend to see a family lawyer during emotionally charged situations, so having an award for the lawyers in a sometimes thankless environment is a real boost for the industry," says Harland.

Brookfields' involvement in the community extends to local groups such as SAFVPN, Kumi Fanua, Friendship House, Victim Support and the University of Auckand through the role model project.

"This award is important in showing our clients they can trust us in their difficult time," says Harland, "as well as being helpful in attracting great staff who want to work for the best."

Press release - 12 November 2010

Déjà vu at LGNZ conference

If you attend the LGNZ conference every year, as I do, the events of previous years tend to meld into one in the mind's eye. While the venues change, the faces mostly remain familiar and the real business is done outside of the conference rooms.  Read more

By Linda O'Reilly

Published in NZ Local Government Magazine

Copright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill

A bill repealing section 92A of the Copyright Act was introduced to Parliament in February.  The bill is intended to put in place a fair and balanced process to deal with online copyright infringement by unauthorised file sharing.  Read more

By John Ferner

First published in Inside Tourism, Issue 779, 1 April 2010

Auckland Council

This handbook provides key legislation relevant to the area of local government law, with particular emphasis on the Auckland Council reorganisation, and features a comprehensive introduction by Brookfields' partner Linda O'Reilly. Read more

For news and details about the new Council go to: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

For details about the legislation that governs the Auckland Council and local boards go to:
Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009
Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009
Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010

Be aware that the application of this legislation is subject to a number of regulations.

For the Auckland Planning Document prepared by the Auckland Transition Agency as Auckland Council's initial Long Term Plan see www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/planningdocument.

For advice on the Auckland Council, its local boards and the council-controlled organisations please contact: Melinda Dickey, Andrew Green, Linda O'Reilly or John Young.