Changes to the student loan system were announced in this years’ budget. The Government stated that new initiatives were necessary to raise the level of repayments made by overseas-based borrowers and to target those who default by introducing penalties. As a result of the announcement, the Student Loan Scheme Amendment [...]
One of the most vexing questions that we face as we get older is- 'how will we provide for ourselves into our retirement?' This naturally includes planning to ensure that we have sufficient funds to meet our costs should we be placed into long-term residential care or a rest home. [...]
The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act comes in to force on Monday 19 August 2013. It will allow couples to marry, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, from that date. Before marrying, a Notice of Intended Marriage must be completed in person at a Births, Deaths and Marriages [...]
Hutt Valley High School's ARL Academic Excellence Scholarship was this year awarded to year 13 student, Madhuri Shenoy. Ms Shenoy, a resident of the Hutt Valley all her life, is delighted to be the recipient of this award. "This scholarship will help pay for my course fees at university and [...]
In general, parents currently have the right to request one continuous period of paid parental leave for up to a maximum of 14 weeks. Sue Moroney MP, Labour, proposes to increase paid parental leave from 14 weeks to 26 weeks. Part of the proposal is to stage the increased leave [...]
ARL Lawyers are delighted to announce they are finalists in the 2012 Law Awards. They have been nominated for a premier award in the Regional/Suburban Law Firm of the year category. Now in its eighth year, the awards are the highlight of the New Zealand legal calendar. They are the [...]
Whether Waitaingi Day and ANZAC Day should be 'Mondayised' has long since been debated. The matter is currently before Parliament in the form of the Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Bill. Essentially, if assented to, the proposed legislation will mean that whenever Waitangi Day or [...]
Family Categories Applicants seeking permanent residence in New Zealand under the family categories, face major policy changes. As at 16 May 2012 the Sibling and Adult Child category ceased to exist. This effectively bars parents who have become New Zealand permanent residents or citizens, from sponsoring their adult children (those [...]
Employers should by now be aware that from July 2011, it became mandatory for employers to retain Individual Employment Agreements for all current employees. However, when assisting both employers and employees in employment matters, we are still encountering a relatively large number of cases where there is no written employment [...]
Are you a member of the board of a charitable organisation? If your charity is registered with the Charities Commission, there are important changes to the Act which affect officers and which all charities should be aware of. If your organisation runs as an incorporated society it will be governed [...]
