Insights

Thirty Years, Three Careers, One Unbreakable Bond

Three desks in our Property & Development team sit just metres apart – a small distance that reflects three decades of friendship, adventures, triumphs and heartache.

Think Your Data Is Safe? Think Again.

When a fried chicken chain has tighter cybersecurity than our digital health providers, it’s time to admit something’s wrong. With the Manage My Health privacy breach dominating headlines through the start of 2026, the lack of a penalty regime under the Privacy Act 2020 has been a hot topic of conversation for many. In New...

AI will make my legal bill cheaper, right?

There is a lot of talk about AI and the efficiencies it can deliver, so it’s easy to think there’s no downside to using AI for legal disputes or when communicating with your lawyer. While AI is a powerful tool with plenty to offer, we are increasingly seeing situations where its use actually increases clients’...

Launch Sequence

Step-by-step legal programme for startups

All together for a new CLM look

Cooney Lees Morgan has been delivering legal excellence for over a century, with roots reaching back to 1918.

CLM’s Modern Legacy

Celebrating Over a Century of Legal Excellence

Is your family trust romance proof?

When love and romance are involved, it’s not always easy to discuss what the future may hold if things don’t go to plan. Our family law team can provide expert advice that carefully treads the fine line between asset protection and family relationships.

Honouring family relationships and the law

Our seven specialists in the area of family law have over 90 years of combined experience.

Equal on paper does not always feel equal in life

Why succession planning should reflect the realities of family life, not just equal percentages in a Will. When parents prepare a Will, a common instinct is to divide their estate equally among their children. It seems simple, fair, likely to avoid conflict, and often it is the right approach. Sometimes, though, family dynamics are not that straightforward....

It’s never just legal. It’s knowing Mum will be okay

When elderly loved ones lose the ability to make decisions for themselves, families are often faced with difficult and emotional choices. Questions can arise about who has authority to make decisions, whether an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is in place, and what can be done if there are concerns about the way an attorney...

Keeping your Farm & Orchard Business in the Family

For many farming and orcharding families, the land represents far more than a business. It reflects decades of hard work, family history, and a desire to see the next generation continue what has been built. However, succession planning can become particularly challenging where there are multiple children, differing expectations, and competing needs. One of the...

When 50/50 Isn’t Fair

Exceptions to Equal Sharing New Zealand’s relationship property law is underpinned by four key principles. Two of those principles focus on equality: that partners are treated equally regardless of gender, and that all contributions to a relationship are valued equally, whether financial, domestic, or otherwise. With those principles in mind, it is easy to see...

Why Your Will Deserves More than a Five-Minute Fix

Wills have traditionally been seen as a ‘one size fits all’ or ‘plug and play’ document where you fill in a questionnaire and sign the next day. In 2026, Wills navigate blended families, interact with businesses and trusts, and provide for significant generational wealth transfers. With the rise in court disputes about Wills, careful planning...

AI in Court Proceedings: Helpful Tool or Hidden Risk?

There are many ways that AI can help in preparing materials for a Court proceeding, but there have been a number of cases where using AI has not worked out well and can have serious consequences. AI hallucinations being included in submissions has caused serious problems for litigants. The clearest warning statement has come from...

If there’s no Will, is there a way?

How does an Estate get dealt with if there’s no Will? If someone dies without a Will, also called ‘intestate’, their Estate gets divided under the Administration Act 1969. They don’t have any control over who handles their affairs or how their property gets divided. Since no-one has been named by the deceased as their...

CLM Announces New CFO and COO Appointments

Two new senior leadership roles are being established at Cooney Lees Morgan, with Kriselle Uerata appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Lee-Anne Roycroft becoming Chief Operating Officer (COO), marking a significant step in our firm’s continued growth.

We have some of New Zealand’s smartest lawyers on our team. Explore their take on topical legal issues and get practical, real-world advice designed to help you make informed decisions.

Good News for Business with the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal

Building a More Sustainable Kiwifruit Workforce

Time For A Fresh Look at Your Charity’s Governance Foundations

The Growth Advantage: Why Stronger Plant Variety Rights Matter

The New Privacy Rule You Can’t Ignore

The Governance Challenge for Family Businesses

Small Share Deals Can Carry Big Consequences

Buying or Selling a Business? Understanding Purchase Price Adjustments

Can Your Neighbour Really Say No?

Jasmine Daroch Wins Prestigious Australasian Legal Award