Pohutukawa Law

26/05/2026

Stalking. Yes -it’s now illegal. And hopefully will be backed by prosecutors and police and the courts.
About damn time!!!

23/04/2026

We are needing a sign business to quote for signage and install that will work for our two office carparks.

If you know anyone please recommend them or have them contact us at [email protected] or get them to pop round to 212 Burswood and theyll see our two small no parking signs on curbing in our parks that get ignored by customers of our neighbours business. Sigh - Apparently if you come in the exit the wrong way and back in to my car parks the bad parking and stealing our carparks doesn’t count?

Not wanting to spend the earth …..but also not allowed flag signage or sandwich boards by body corporate. Needs to be on solid posts as neighbours customers knock down signage by hitting with their cars. Sigh. Need to be simple / clear so the no English excuse doesn’t get given when they’re told to move.

And yes…we have a sign business on our block - when contacted they were too busy …..so looking for one who can do it within say 2-3 weeks and install? Simply needs to say something like - NO PARKING 24/7 LAWYERS ONLY …or similar to get attention of those who keep parking there.

16/04/2026

School holidays are nearly over. Now’s the time to simply say - do you know what Guardianship is? The rights? The obligations? The restrictions of non guardians to obtain information even if they are caring for children?

If not please note it is not like on tv - USA and uk programmes particularly as the law here is different. It’s actually in my view just as or more important that custody.

Here’s a simple explanation around guardianship to look at -

A legal guardian is an adult who’s responsible for your child’s care, growth, and upbringing. Find out more about what it means to be a guardian and how guardianship comes to an end.

10/01/2026

Happy 2026. We are back on board this coming week. We only have virtual appointments available currently that fit around existing and court dates. Please email to secure one if you are needing one. Please note our landline is not currently active due to a system change over but you can email us further per below

Meanwhile - this article is in the news today. Did you know only about 1-5% of our firms Relationship property clients end up before the court. In fact, most of our relationship property files are concluded within the confines of our offices with the assistance of counsel for the other  parties negotiating and working with us for the best interests of both parties. In the lead up to the recent Christmas closure we finalised no less than five relationship property matters that had been in our offices less than six months. It does not have to be per the article and most of the time that is not the fault of lawyers but are the parties who cannot reach conclusion and for the lack of a better example * see the wood for the trees*. 

Ro[email protected]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/bitter-10-year-divorce-case-thrown-out-of-court-judge-cites-need-for-finality/GLHKSE7HRNG6LM6MNOP2MBCLEQ/ Bitter, 10-year divorce case thrown out of court, judge cites ‘need for finality’

The fight has been dragging on since the couple broke up in 2015.

18/11/2025

This weeks news unfortunately took me back to my days in law school, where Ruth Busch was my favourite lecturer. She was an absolute driving force behind the implementation of the Domestic violence act - now the Family violence act.

Do you know the case behind the coming into force of the act? No -not many do.

Well it was the BRISTOL case. Where three beautiful little girls - their final Picture was on Santa’s knee - Claudia Abby aged 18 months, Holly Alyse aged 3 and their big sister Tiffany Anne Bristol aged 7 ….were murdered on 5 February 1994 in Wanganui.

Who killed them? Their father did. THEIR FATHER!!!

Now I am NOT going to go over that case or why he had their care or …. But this week I could not help but see the similarity when three more beautiful children in NZ died in similar circumstances in Sanson - Goldie, August and Hugo aged 1,5 and 7. Allegedly at this time only ….but the outcome will unlikely suprise me

New Zealand - the DVA / FVA has been in place now for 30 years and we still have this occurring? What is going to be done? We should not still have such headlines.

RIP Angels. Thoughts and hugs to the mum - who has lost her children in a way we thought back in 1995 would be prevented and not seen again. It’s a dark time when NZ is continuing such a legacy.

06/11/2025

It’s that time again. Two of my law students / graduates have secured employment offers and are moving on into their careers in the new year. I have two other amazing young Law students / graduates who I sadly have to accept will be securing work in the new year also.

So - I am Opening up applications again for our training roles to commence In February 2026. This is a training role and you MUST be in your final year of a law degree in 2026. Training will be provided

You must be able to commit one full day (6-8 hours between 830-5) each (most) weeks - this can fit with your Uni schedule and change as needed weekly etc. - we’ve found part days don’t really work well. Payment can be discussed at interview which must be in person at our offices

If you fit this criteria or know someone who does please have them send CV and cover letter to [email protected].

04/11/2025

Many of you may have seen TVNZ Breakfast this morning with Just Fund NZ.

We wish to clarify some of the information / queries around this. Please note that we absolutely support our clients and receiving and sourcing funding in this manner from this organisation where needed

Breakfast referred to funding for a “divorce.” In New Zealand you can attend any court counter and complete divorce forms for free and pay a filing fee and arrange service. Some of our clients choose to instruct us to take some of the stress of this of them and we have a standard fee for a divorce of $750 plus gst and disbursements plus a service fee. Legal aid does not cover the cost for a divorce.

The reference by breakfast in our view should have been about sourcing funding to complete relationship property division and aspects around separation. Some clients will not be eligible for legal aid for parenting (COCA) and protection order matters, but we have many clients that are able to obtain legal aid for these matters while working and owning property. If legal aid is not available some clients are also supported by various community agencies structures before needing to fund legal cost themselves. Please always talk to us about options before you simply apply for funding via a third-party lender.

 The focus around the funding instead should be on the division in completion of relationship property matters and the funding of that.  We are experiencing more clients that require funding to try and complete their relationship property matters with their former partner. Having said that 90% of our clients relationship property matters are resolved in house without the need to resort to court and at a cost substantially lower than that on breakfast today which quoted $30,000.

If a client is needing to resolve relationship property matters and it will be protracted or need to head to the court and then equity is not available to the parties to use for such funding, then applications should be considered / made to seek funding. Again we strongly encourage you to speak to us before you decide the pathway you will be taking.

We do agree that there are many parties in a relationship that cannot afford the cost of pursuing a division of property for many reasons. Funding for legal costs is available on several platforms and we have also written up quotes and outlined the legal process for parties banks to fund where required also. At Pohutukawa law we do not offer relationship properly matters on legal aid, so we are willing to talk to clients about options always.

 Hopefully this clarifies and expands on the  information provided on breakfast this morning

01/11/2025

Christmas. It’s coming. Soon!

A reminder to review, confirm or discuss your care and contact arrangements for Xmas day and over the holiday / summer season.

We have limited appointments available for new clients between now and December closure. We offer legal aid and private funded appointments. Secure via phone (leave a message - we’re not psychic) or email. Monday to Friday 9-5 available.

Please note if you have an existing case with another lawyer we won’t be offering appointments for such cases until after 1 February 2026 due to the time it takes to change the file over to us etc.

Also - Unless you meet the courts urgent criteria threshold, it is unlikely you’ll secure orders now before next year. Use your time waiting wisely - engage in FDR if non urgent (Family dispute resolution) and do the Parenting through separation course (free and short) before you touch the court. All easily located online.

18/07/2025

This week three beautiful lives were lost in a tragic accident. Frances was a lovely court registrar we all had worked with.

Please share the page to assist her family left behind.

RIP three new angels

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-for-the-vailea-and-extended-family?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLnjlNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoqlu_QojWIdX8K55qCLRkuQgzZbgaj4I_JrVeylfEaj7QGL0SCTBQ4dmED0_aem_z3_5coowz8_FaopjmpEHrA

Support for the Latu-Vailea and Extended Family After Tragic Loss

15/07/2025

Hi all.

Due to my upcoming *holiday* and full court and meeting schedules in place there are now no available appointments for new clients until after 1 September. Existing client appointments will be by need urgency only now.

Thanks all.