The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill passed its third reading on 14 August 2025 and will introduce a significant shift in the statutory liability landscape.  While the Government’s broader RMA reform agenda targets planning and consenting efficiencies, two enforcement provisions stand out for their direct impact on insurers and insureds alike.

Market overview

New Zealand's insurance sector comprises both private and government-owned insurers. In the private sector, about 59% of business is general insurance, followed by 28% life insurance and 13% health insurance.

The Supreme Court has released its much-awaited decision of Routhan v PGG Wrightson Real Estate Ltd regarding how damages should be measured where a professional has negligently supplied critical information that induces a commercial transaction. Crucially, the decision comments on the relevance of the SAAMCO principle in New Zealand law, an issue of great interest to liability insurers and their clients.

The test for unfairness, which will apply in New Zealand once the Contracts of Insurance Acts changes are implemented is almost identical to the test that has applied to insurance contracts in Australia since 2021.  As a result, cases decided in Australia will provide important guidance for New Zealand insurers as they start to review their policy wordings for potentially problematic terms.

We’re excited to share that Fee Langstone is expanding its presence in the South Island with the opening of a new office in Christchurch.

To lead this important step, we’ve appointed Tim Daley as Special Counsel. Tim brings insurance expertise and a strong reputation in the legal community.  We’re thrilled he’ll be a part of our Christchurch operations.

Alternative dispute resolution ordinarily requires the consent of the parties.  In trust disputes, however, under s 145 of the Trusts Act 2019 a trustee or beneficiary may ask the High Court to order that parties participate in an ADR process.  In other words, the Court can order an unwilling party to attend mediation.  

On 30 August 2020 Pala’amo Kalati was killed while working as a lasher at the Ports of Auckland.  Mr Kalati was crushed by a falling shipping container while working within an exclusion zone near an operating crane - a practice prohibited under Ports of Auckland Limited’s (POAL) safety policies.  Anthony Michael Gibson was the CEO of POAL from 2011 to 2021.  Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) brought charges against Mr Gibson for failing to fulfil his duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).  MNZ successfully argued that Mr Gibson did not exercise due diligence to ensure POAL complied with its health and safety obligations.

This year we were delighted to host our Casino Royale themed Client Function at The Brit in Britomart. It was a great night to catch up with our community (and do a bit of Vegas style gaming while we were at it!)

Recently, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment in an appeal brought by the owner of a group of industrial commercial buildings damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.    

The Overseas Investment Act 2005 regulates who can own “sensitive land” in New Zealand.  If an “overseas person” wishes to purchase “sensitive land”, they must first seek the consent of the Overseas Investment Office (OIO).  This imposes strict requirements on those advising clients wishing to purchase residential property.

It is now settled law that tikanga forms part of the common law in New Zealand.  Following the Supreme Court decision in Ellis v R (Continuance)[1], the use of tikanga has gained momentum in most areas of the law, however, its application is still largely uncertain.  With the fast pace of this development, we consider whether the judicial system, and litigation lawyers in particular, are keeping pace.

The jurisdiction of the IFSO and FSCL increases to half a million dollars this week, despite the schemes having no obligation to apply the law.  Melissa Bell and Shikha Kishun briefly review the change and the impacts.

This week marks the commencement of the new Natural Hazards Insurance Act (NHI Act).  Residential property insurers, who have been busy updating policy wordings and setting up new systems and procedures required by the Act, may take a quick pause for a breath now that the commencement date has arrived! 

A recent High Court decision (Paton v Acropolis Holdings Ltd & ors [2024] NZHC 43) helpfully reviewed, and shed light on, the factors a court will consider when reviewing a trustee’s decision-making under the Trusts Act 2019. Fee Langstone acted for the trustees.

Insurer uncertainty about the new Government’s prioritisation of insurance law reform came to an end recently following the introduction of not one, but two, Bills into Parliament. The Insurance Contracts Bill, a member’s Bill, was drawn at the end of March, while the Government’s Contracts of Insurance Bill received its first reading in early May. We focus on the provisions in the Government Bill in this article.

Former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson is on trial in the Auckland District Court following the death of a stevedore at the Port in August 2020. Mr Gibson is facing two charges, laid by Maritime New Zealand, under sections 48 and 49 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. These charges concern alleged failures to comply with a duty that exposes an individual to the risk of death, serious injury, or serious illness (section 48), and failing to comply with a duty under the Act (section 49).