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Find it hereP06 368 9239
07.08.18
Here is issue 98 of the Address for Service Newsletter, which includes NZ LAW updates from around the country. You can read it here or download your copy below.
From the Chair
Welcome to the Winter edition of Address for Service. I’m writing this in Auckland following my return from our NZ LAW/CA Combined Offshore Conference in Tahiti. Tahiti was an amazing location and I was very jealous of those conference attendees who were staying on for a few more days after the conference ended. It was definitely a shock to the system to return to the stormy weather and cold temperatures back home.
Conferences are a wonderful opportunity for us to catch up with other members and also their families. A standout element this year was the number of members who brought along their children. It was lovely to watch the children all playing together each evening. The feedback from attendees, even those who were attending without children, was that they really appreciated the relaxed and family- friendly atmosphere.
Aside from the social programme, the conference sessions were very well attended. This speaks volumes about the quality of our presenters and their topics when it was so tempting to be on the beach. I’m impressed every year that we have such a great range of speakers and that they are willing to make themselves available to present for us. Thank you to all the organisers, speakers and Head Office for ensuring that all events ran smoothly.
For those of you who were unable to attend, the speakers’ materials will be available shortly on the website. I’d encourage you to review and distribute these within your firms.
AML
The conference provided an opportunity for members to discuss their firms’ preparation for their AML obligations and their post-1 July experiences. Generally, it seems that most firms were well prepared for 1 July and, whilst not necessarily enjoying the process, were coping. This is very pleasing to hear, and we will continue to monitor AML issues. If there are any firms with questions or queries, I would encourage you to use the member portal on the website or directly contact other firms.
The board and Head Office have been approached regarding member firms working together to provide ‘trusted referee’ services to sight the original forms of identification and proof of address for the CDD process. We believe that this service will be useful for most firms in the group. Information will be circulated shortly on how this could operate.
We are also working on an initiative to assist our member firms with the AML audit requirements.
Visits to South Island firms
As conferences are always a busy time for us, we are aware that there is little time to catch up with you all. As well, some of our partners and staff aren’t all able to attend our gatherings. Firm visits are a way for us to meet with firms and staff on their ‘home turf’. This helps us gain a better understanding of our member firms and their thoughts for NZ LAW as we look ahead. Some NZ LAW directors recently completed a tour of firms from Dunedin through to Christchurch.
Thank you to those firms for their amazing hospitality. Your feedback will be very valuable to us when planning future events and initiatives.
Coming up
With the Tahiti conference under our belts, we can all look forward to a number of NZ LAW events over the next few months. Our legal executives have their conference on 20–21 August.
Registrations are still open and full details of the conference agenda and subsidies are on the website.
On 4–5 October we have the Practice Mangers’ Conference in Christchurch. This event dovetails into our AGM on 5–6 October. We are very pleased to return to Christchurch as a conference location and hope that these two conferences will be well-supported by our members. The Update from Napier below has all the links to these conferences.
I look forward to seeing you all in October.
Kristine King
Update from Napier
AML
By now all firms should be fully compliant with the AML legislation. The next stage is for NZ LAW to explore what audit options are available and to decide if a ‘group’ offering can be negotiated to support and benefit members.
Combined Offshore Conference
Tahiti was a great location for a short escape from our New Zealand winter and to experience another culture in a warm and friendly environment. The conference business agenda had something for everyone, and the social programme provided a relaxed family- friendly time for 132 members and their families, and our suppliers.
Once again the AON/NZI Amazing PI Race was a huge success putting mixed teams of NZ LAW/CA delegates against each other whilst also providing a great networking opportunity between the two groups.
Insurance update
The last two months have been very busy on the insurance front with the launch of a New Member Advisory Panel that provides free consultation time by Fee Langstone (conditions apply).
A new series of risk management scenarios has been circulated to members, as well as cover for AML/CFT civil pecuniary penalties for member firms who have their PI, statutory liability and directors & officers policies with NZI.
Future conferences and events
NZ LAW legal executives will hold their conference on 20–21 August in Wellington. This is followed by the ALPMA Practice Management Summit in Sydney on 19–21 September.
This year’s Practice Managers’ Conference will be held in Christchurch on 4–5 October immediately prior to the NZ LAW Annual General Meeting. These will be the last NZ LAW meetings for what has been a very busy 2018.
Welcome to Rebekah
Rebekah Matthews has joined NZ LAW as our administration assistant to cover Emma Bellamy while she is away on maternity leave. Rebekah has recently moved back to New Zealand after spending the last 10 years living overseas in Canada, UK and Australia where she worked for a large insurance building company. She is happy to be home and is enjoying living in the sunny Hawke’s Bay.
Rebekah has very much enjoyed learning about NZ LAW. She is looking forward to see what the next few months have in store before Emma’s return in April. (We have more about Emma and her new baby on page 10.)
Alan Hay, Executive Officer
NZ Law News
Adam Thame has taken a step up to the role of partner at RMY Legal. Over the last eight years, Adam has worked with partner Charles Wilkinson in the firm’s commercial and residential team. Congratulations Adam.
Commercial and property lawyer, Stephanie George is now an associate at RMY Legal.
Two lawyers have recently joined the RMY Legal team. Rachel Standring is experienced in family, immigration, property and commercial law. She has a second degree in music and additional certifications in Chinese.
After four years working in Wellington as a research assistant and the Chief District Court Judge’s clerk, Bayley Roylance has returned to the Taranaki region. Bayley specialises in family and property law matters.
There are two new partners in the firm. Heidi Oliver has been with Gifford Devine since 2003 and has extensive experience in property, business, rural and commercial law. She practises in both the Hastings and Waipawa offices.
Rachel Vokes came to the firm from Wellington in 2016; she has significant dispute resolution experience and works as pa of the Hastings commercial team.
Joining the ‘family firm’ is Ben Taylor who recently graduated from the University of Otago; he is working with the family law team. Ben is the son of GD partner, Iain Taylor.
As AFS readers will be aware, Corcoran French is a sponsor of Ronald McDonald House South Island. Our CF correspondent Maria Peters says, “In June we cooked dinner at the house – chicken and lamb casseroles, followed by sticky date pudding and chocolate brownie. We were kindly given a tour and shown the room that we sponsor. “We also helped Ronald McDonald House raise money by helping on collection day down at the local Z petrol station.”
Maria says CF is also proud to suppo the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. “We hosted a Pink Ribbon breakfast in May. The fancy porridge and toasted bagels were delicious.”
CF has recently welcomed to two staff members. Family lawyer, Gemma Smith, is working in the Kaiapoi office. Rebecca Dooley has headed no h from RSM Law in Timaru; she is working in the city office’s commercial team.
Finally, CF is proud of Janet MacDonald and Ashleigh Tawhara who recently graduated as legal executives .
On 30 May, just a few days before Allen Needham & Co’s busiest day of the working year, the firm took part in the World Challenge Day. The challenge is organised by the Matamata-Piako District Council as part of a competition against a similar sized district in Japan. It involves doing
15 minutes of movement – which could be anything as long as it was on the day and for at least 15 minutes. The Anco staff, (aka) Rod’s Rockers, stepped up to the challenge with an array of wigs to join a 15 minute tai chi class. “From the boardroom we were virtually connected with tai chi zen master, Jake Mace. He instructed us from the bottom of the Grand Canyon with the sounds of nature cheering us on.”
Rod’s Rockers won a spot prize for the best dressed in the challenge. To celebrate a successful community event and their winnings there was a morning tea shout with a twist. Office administrator (and our AFS correspondent) Petrina Crosby had baked ‘Character Muffins’ that were iced in the likeness of all the staff members and arranged in the same way they appear on the website.
The Innes Dean Tararua Law women had a great time at the Manawatu Women’s Lifestyle Expo over the weekend of 13–14 May. The team chatted to more than 500 attendees about their legal needs. “Whether women were buying and selling real estate, reminded of that will or EPA they had forgotten to complete, or just needed to ponder their options in protecting their property, we were there to start the discussion,” says our correspondent.
Two new staff have been welcomed recently. Nick Tait is a senior solicitor working predominantly
in conveyancing, subdivisions, wills, trusts, estates, EPAs and employment law. Previously, Nick was a pastor in Palmerston North. Outside of work Nick enjoys spending time with his four children and supporting them in all their sporting endeavours.
The welcome to Rachel Quartley is really a ‘welcome back’. “Rachel worked for us 17 years ago as a Registered Legal Executive, before leaving to live in Hamilton. Returning to Palmerston North
last year, Rachel saw our firm’s advertisement and made contact. We are delighted to have Rachel back with us and she fits in so well … it’s like she never left.”
Hamilton’s Norris Ward McKinnon made a number of new appointments on 1 April. Phil Hyde is the firm’s newest partner in the business, rural and property team. Courts and disputes/employment team members, Erin Anderson and Jesse Savage have been promoted to associates. Jacky Walker and Shelly Harrison are now senior solicitors in NWM’s commercial corporate team.
Emma Thomson Learmonth was admitted to the bar on 22 June and is now a solicitor in the court and disputes/ employment team.
Last but not at all least, NWM has welcomed four new staff. Tim Burtenshaw is a consultant and Cameron Fraser is a solicitor in the court and disputes/employment team, Claire Luxton is a senior solicitor in the commercial corporate team, and Megan Macdonald is a solicitor in the business, rural and property team.
On a slightly more light-hearted note, on 22 June a tropically- themed winter breakfast was cooked by the partners (including all the cleaning up!) for NWM staff. Pancakes with bacon and bananas, and tropical fruit smoothies were on the menu.
Rachel Sussock is a new partner at Auckland’s Lowndes Jordan. An experienced litigator
with broad commercial, regulatory and public law experience, Rachel has a recent focus on construction and insolvency.
Also new at Lojo is Sherryn Ha ord who has joined the firm as a senior associate in its commercial team. Sherryn previously worked in the corporate advisory team of a leading global law firm.
Rick Shera has been reappointed to the CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) Establishment Advisory Board, and was also appointed a Fellow of InternetNZ.
Gillespie Young Watson has announced the appointment of Nicole Evans as a solicitor in the firm’s Home Legal division. Nicole previously worked in Chapman Tripp’s litigation department.
Leah Murphy is heading to Barcelona to represent, and captain, New Zealand’s team at the Hockey Masters World Cup. Leah says that with many new caps in this year’s team, they are hugely excited about the trip to Spain. “Everyone is in full training mode around the country so that they can be competitive against the strength of the many European teams.” Go well Leah.
The welcome mat has been doing overtime at Edmonds Judd. Legal executive Belinda Green has joined EJ’s residential conveyancing unit. Judy Murray has taken over from legal executive Tabatha Brill as she goes on maternity leave to await the birth of her second child. Judy has a mass of experience working in various law firms, including EJ, back in the late 1990s.
Te Awamutu born-and-bred Emily Moffi has joined EJ as its new office junior.
“Sponsorship is an extremely important part of Edmonds Judd’s community engagement,” says partner Simon Brdanovic. “We are very pleased to announce we have renewed our sponsorship of Te Awamutu Soccer and Te Awamutu Sports.”
EJ joined New Zealanders nationwide to take a stand against bullying for Pink Shirt Day on Friday, 18 May. All donations on the day went to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
After merging Dowthwaite Law with Attewell Clews & Cooper last September, David Dowthwaite has relocated offices and can now be found at the Business Hub on 1209 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua. David is a consultant to Attewell Clews & Cooper.
Bernard Andrew MacGeorge
Died 20 February 2018, aged 84 years
“Integrity, fairness, a strong sense of justice” are the words Bernie’s daughter Jane used to describe her father. Jane added that he was “a very social lawyer – he cared hugely for his clients and his community, and there was always a lot of talking! He was a great story- teller and a master of puns.”
Bernie’s path to the law was rather unorthodox, he didn’t complete his LLB until 1973, although had been admitted to the bar in 1960. Studying law part-time, as was the usual way in the 1950s, Bernie worked in the Ministry of Works and the Department of Lands & Survey which gave him a lifelong interest and expertise in land tenure, accreditation rights, river beds and pastoral leases.
In the mid-1960s, through a variety of contacts, Bernie was appointed a magistrate in Samoa, later Chief Magistrate and also Chief Coroner of Western Samoa.
After developing hepatitis, Bernie, with his wife Desiree and five children, returned to New Zealand. In 1970, wanting a country life for their family, an opportunity arose in Waimate where Bernie became a partner in the firm that became Walker MacGeorge & Co. This firm was one of the earliest members of NZ LAW Limited.
Bernie and his business partner Duncan Walker built up a thriving practice. Bernie was highly sought after by farmers for his rural law expertise. His interest in coronial matters continued, culminating in his appointment as South Canterbury Coroner.
Walker MacGeorge & Co merged with Timaru’s RSM Law in 2017.
At 82, Bernie retired to care for Desiree full-time; she died on 12 February and Bernie died eight days later. Such was the respect they both had in the district, that hundreds of people attended their joint funeral.
Bernie and Desiree are survived by Christopher, Penelope, Jane, Simon and Richard; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Innes Dean Tararua Law sponsorship: Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre
Innes Dean Tararua Law is proud to announce its sponsorship at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre north of Masterton. Pukaha Mt Bruce works to restore the remaining indigenous forest of the area while also supporting and rehabilitating the local wildlife.
Working alongside the Pukaha volunteers, Innes Dean Tararua Law’s sponsorship supports the completion of a new educational weta area in the Mount Bruce Reserve showcasing the plight of New Zealand’s native weta. The weta display area will offer not only an education opportunity, but also it is hoped that it will be a fun and family-friendly space that will enhance the overall visitor experience.
Firm working bee
On Sunday 6 May the Innes Dean Tararua Law staff and their families travelled to Pukaha for a working bee to prepare the weta area.
“It was hard work digging, weeding, planting and moving stones! The staff were rewarded with a great sense of accomplishment and a yummy lunch. The children had a great day gazing at all the birds, feeding the eels, catching snails and seeing the white kiwi, Manukura,” says partner Melissa Bourke.
It is anticipated the ‘giant weta sculpture’ will arrive from Auckland to Mt Bruce in November and be unveiled so the area can be opened for the Christmas holidays.
Whanganui lawyer interns for UN at Khmer Rouge trials
Horsley Christie’s Elliot Copeland says although his time as a United Nations intern in Cambodia was harrowing, he wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
In 2016, Elliot had hoped to spend a year teaching English in Japan but missed out on selection. Instead he took on a UN internship to work on the Khmer Rouge Trials in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Elliot’s internship was based in the Office of the Co-Investigating Judges whose role is to investigate alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide over the period April 1975 – January 1979. The Office submits a standing order to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia stating whether or not a case should proceed to trial.
“I was working in the Treatment of People Team assisting in interviews for both victims and perpetrators and using that evidence to draft closing orders. It was heartbreaking hearing the victim’s stories. I was shocked to meet these ordinary people who had been exposed to such appalling crimes,” says Elliot.
“I was sorry to leave Cambodia at the end of my eight months. I’d learned so much about the resilience and hope of the Cambodian people, but also the cruelty people can inflict, whether under orders or not. I very much support the Trials and believe not only is it important for time to be taken to get the process right, but also for the process to give closure to the survivors.”
NZ CA news
NZ CA has seen a busy few months.
May conference
We had a very successful conference in Napier in May and were inspired by
a series of exceptional speakers. Paul Adams, from Global CEO, spoke about the true value of a business and how often the value of intangible assets are never seen on the balance sheet of a business.
Social media is becoming an ever- increasing medium of communication in our profession; we had an excellent presentation on this from Adhoc Media.
A wonderful gala dinner was held at Mission Estate Winery where we were highly entertained by comedian, Simon McKinney.
AML
AML/CFT compliance is currently one of our key focus points; our NZ CA member firms are gearing up for the introduction of compliance requirements for 1 October 2018. NZ CA is also working through finalisation of member firms who are providing services for AML/CFT audits.
Welcome to new member firm in Tauranga
We are delighted to announce a new member firm to NZ CA – Young Read Woudberg from Tauranga. We warmly welcome them to NZ CA and know that they will be a excellent asset to our network.
The Edge programme
In May, we held our leadership programme ‘The Edge’ at Outward Bound in the Marlborough Sounds. We have had excellent feedback from the participants; this programme has already seen a significant growth in the development of their leadership skills. The participants included up- and-coming leaders from some NZ CA member firms’ client base who also found the programme outstanding. They will take part in the second part of the course in September 2018.
Conferences
Once again, the NZ CA members who joined NZ LAW members at the Combined Conference in Tahiti had a memorable conference and partook in great presentations. Our members always enjoy the opportunity to get together with our legal colleagues.
The annual benchmarking conference is being held in Wellington in August. This is always well-attended and one of the highlights of the NZ CA year.
Our last gathering for 2018 will be held in Queenstown in late September, with the focus on futuristic aspects of the profession.
Linda Gray Chair
Writing for Farm Trader
Impressed by the quality of the material in Rural eSpeaking, late last year we were approached by Bauer Media’s Farm Trader to write a quarterly legal/ business column. With a readership of 105,000, we thought the offer of this Farm Trader column was an excellent opportunity to show the depth of NZ LAW’s rural sector expertise.
Our contributing authors, Neil Dent of Gifford Devine and John Sheddan of Sheddan Pritchard Law, have written three columns so far:
• Drifting away – chemical spray drift: John
• Mycoplasma bovis and NAIT compliance: Neil
• Money down the drain? (effluent): John
To read these articles, please email Adrienne for a copy. For online reading, you’ll need to subscribe!
David Howie elected president of Eagles
In February, Gifford Devine general manager David Howie was elected president of the Eagles Golfing Society of New Zealand for a two-year term.
Distinctive in their red jackets, members of the Eagles have given significant service to the game of golf in their area. Contributions include being involved in club, district or national administration, organising and supporting junior golfers, or working on their local course by assisting local green keepers. There are 1,500 Eagles’ members in New Zealand.
As well as continuing to assist the development of golf in New Zealand, since 1969 the Eagles have partnered with what is now the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation to provide significant assistance for its Activity Fund. Each year there is about $140,000 raised by golf days held in each Eagles district. This year will mark $5 million being raised in the last 50 years by the Eagles for the Foundation.
“It is an absolute honour to be elected President of Eagles national body that supports such an organisation as the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation. The Eagles are enormously proud to have had such a long-standing fundraising partnership with an organisation that touches our hearts so much,” says David.
“At the end of my two-year term, I will have had 30 years of continuous golf administration service. I started off as captain at the Hastings Golf Club, then membership of the Hawke’s Bay Golf Association – and later its president, to the NZ Golf Council and board, and NZ Golf Team manager as well as some time with Hawke’s Bay Golf Referees’ Association. I was invited to become an Eagle 15 years ago.
“This is my last golf position – which is what I’ve told my wife Jane who has supported me through all that time being at meetings, or away at meetings or with teams overseas. I’ve done all this while being general manager at Gifford Devine for 33 years. The partners have been very generous in allowing me to follow my golfing interests, I’m very grateful to them for that.”
Well done David, we are all very proud of your appointment.
David also wanted AFS to mention that Tom Pryde (Cruickshank Pryde) and Adrienne Olsen (editor of NZ LAW’s publications) are both life trustees of Halberg Disability Sports Foundation, after having been working trustees for 35-plus collective years.
Reflections of the Great Wall
Simpson Western partner Candice Murphy returned home in May from an epic adventure
to help raise funds for breast cancer. She reports:
The Great Wall of China can well and truly be ticked off my bucket list.
My mum, Vivian Blake, and I joined a group of 10 other ladies to support the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand by walking the Great Wall of China. We were a diverse group, but every one of us had a story, a reason and a purpose for wanting to complete this challenge.
Over five days we traversed about 65km of the Great Wall. We climbed mountains, thousands and thousands of stairs, and worked our way across completely unrestored paths of the Wall. Although the trek was challenging, we were all spurred on by our personal stories and by the incredible backing we received before we started our journey.
For me, the support I received from my fellow partners, colleagues and Simpson Western clients was very humbling. Clients were also really generous in making donations and providing personal words of support and encouragement.
Together Mum and I raised more than $13,500. Collectively, the two teams on the Pink Ribbon Great Wall Trek raised more than $144,000.
A huge heartfelt thanks goes out to all who supported me on this mission.
Meet Emma’s baby
We’re happy to report the safe arrival of Emma and Callum Bellamy’s baby boy. Drew Peter Bellamy came into the world with a hiss and roar at 11pm on 19 April weighing 7lbs 7oz. Emma is the administration assistant at head office.
Emma, Callum and Drew are settling into their days together as a family, although they’re looking forward to longer sleeps at night for everyone.
Emma is away from NZ LAW on her maternity leave and will return to work in April next year. Until then Rebekah Matthews has stepped in and is enjoying her new role.
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