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Wotton Kearney - New Zealand

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Wotton Kearney is Asia Pacific’s insurance and risk legal business.

27/10/2026

Last week, Wotton Kearney brought together clients and colleagues from across the insurance industry for our annual NZILA Conference lunch in Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau.

With views across the Viaduct, the lunch was a great opportunity to connect ahead of the conference and discuss the key issues shaping the insurance industry.

Wotton Kearney supported the conference as a Bronze sponsor – with Partner and Trustee of the Life Squared Trust Sean O’Sullivan presenting on mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession, and Special Counsel Meredith Karlsen joining the legal update panel to share her insights on the latest developments impacting the insurance sector.

A big thank you to NZILA, our fellow speakers, and those who joined us. We look forward to continuing the conversation at next year's conference.

22/10/2026

A huge congratulations to Senior Associate Victoria Waalkens for being recognised in NZ Lawyer's Elite Women 2026!

With over 18 years' experience in the legal industry, Victoria has built a reputation as a trusted adviser who combines legal excellence with empathy, integrity, and a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes for her clients.

Beyond her client work, she is passionate about shaping the future of the profession through mentoring junior lawyers, leading CSR initiatives, and advocating for greater equity and opportunity for women in the workplace.

Victoria shared: "Many women continue to navigate leadership, caregiving responsibilities and professional expectations simultaneously. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure we continue to foster a culture where women actively support and champion one another."

View the release from NZ Lawyer: https://www.thelawyermag.com/nz/best-in-law/top-female-lawyers-in-australia-and-new-zealand-elite-women/552279

29/09/2026

Wotton Kearney has once again been named a 5-Star Employer of Choice by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer

This recognition celebrates law firms that are leading the way in creating positive, people-focused workplaces – and reflects our commitment to building a workplace where high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand.

At WK, culture is everything. It shows up in how we work together, support each other, and create space for people to build rewarding careers – and that’s what makes this award especially meaningful.

A big thank you to everyone across WK. Your contributions and commitment continue to make the firm a great place to work.

Read our announcement: https://www.wottonkearney.com/wotton-kearney-named-a-5-star-employer-of-choice-for-2026/

20/08/2026

Earlier this week, WK attended the New Zealand Underwriting Agencies Council (NZUAC) Expo in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau.

It was great to catch up with familiar faces, meet plenty of new ones, and discuss the issues shaping today’s insurance market.

The rapid roundtable sessions sparked some interesting discussions, with Special Counsel Meredith Karlsen and Senior Associate Matt Hutcheson sharing insights on upcoming legislative and regulatory developments – including the proposed proportionate liability regime and RMA enforcement trends.

A big thank you to NZUAC for putting on another fantastic event and for the opportunity to get involved as a sponsor.

19/08/2026

Last week, WK gathered in Christchurch Ōtautahi to connect with law students from , holding a panel discussion and sharing insights into careers in insurance law and litigation.

The group discussed what a law career at Wotton Kearney looks like on a daily basis. The conversation covered the wide range of work new lawyers rotate through, training, support, mentorship and development. Students got some great tips on how to stand out at work and during the recruitment process – such as the value of being open, curiosity and tenacity, and the importance of being your authentic self.

It was great to see students so engaged throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions and staying on afterwards to continue the conversation.

Thank you to and for having us. We always enjoy connecting with future legal talent and supporting the next generation of lawyers.

13/08/2026

New Zealand’s Resource Management Act has attracted significant attention, with a new maximum fine of $10 million for corporate offenders.

For large corporates, the message from New Zealand Parliament appears clear. What was once a $600,000 maximum fine has become $10 million. The intent is plainly to expose serious environmental offending to significantly greater penalties.

In this article, Neil Beadle and Finlay Watson from our Statutory Liability team share what this change means for dairy farmers and small commercial operators.

Read here: https://www.wottonkearney.com/new-10-million-environmental-fines-what-dairy-farmers-and-smes-need-to-know/

13/08/2026

The New Zealand Court of Appeal has reaffirmed the principle of non-intervention in discretionary trustee decisions, clarifying the distinction between reviewing a trustee's decision-making process under the Trusts Act 2019 and second-guessing discretionary decisions, which remains outside the court's remit.

The decision is particularly significant for professional trustees and their insurers, confirming the heightened standards of care that apply while reinforcing the limited grounds on which discretionary decisions may be challenged.

In this article, Mathew Francis, Rebecca Scott, James Dymock and Alison Cupples share their key takeaways from the decision.

Read here: https://www.wottonkearney.com/new-zealand-court-of-appeal-clarifies-trustee-discretion-and-duty-of-care/

10/08/2026

New amendments to New Zealand’s Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 could significantly change the way complaints against lawyers are managed.

The Regulatory Systems (Occupational Regulation) Amendment Bill, which received Royal Assent on 9 July 2026, introduces a new complaints triage process that shifts the initial assessment of complaints from Lawyers Standards Committees to the Lawyers Complaints Service.

The amendments aim to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and strengthen conveyancing regulation, including making practitioners' undertakings enforceable in the High Court.

In this article, Mathew Francis, Emily Whiteside, Alison Cupples, and Filip Nikolic examine the key reforms, the practical implications for practitioners and insurers, and the questions that remain regarding implementation and review rights.

Read here: https://www.wottonkearney.com/new-zealands-lawyers-and-conveyancers-act-2006-a-new-complaints-framework/

30/07/2026

This week we’re excited to announce the integration of leading New Zealand maritime and fisheries practice Oceanlaw with Wotton Kearney, effective 1 August.

This milestone expands our specialist marine offering and establishes WK's fifth New Zealand office in Nelson, strengthening our presence across the region and enhancing the support we provide to insurers, brokers and businesses operating in the maritime and fisheries sectors.

The Oceanlaw team brings deep expertise across maritime, fisheries, aquaculture and the Māori sector. Partners Hamish Fletcher and Karyn van Wijngaarden will join WK alongside consultants Justine Inns and Mike Sullivan, and lawyers Hayley Campbell and Daniel Jackson.

Their arrival further strengthens our growing marine practice, complementing the expertise of Caroline Laband and Neil Beadle, while extending our reach and capability across New Zealand's South Island.

By bringing together two highly regarded firms, we're creating one of the region's leading marine practices – combining specialist expertise, local knowledge and an expanded APAC footprint to deliver even greater value to clients.

This is an important step in our continued growth across New Zealand and reflects our commitment to investing in specialist capability to support our clients.

Find out more: https://www.wottonkearney.com/wotton-kearney-expands-its-marine-practice-across-asia-pacific-with-oceanlaw-integration

24/06/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of bringing clients together to mark the official opening of our Tauranga office – a milestone we've been working toward since establishing a local hub here in early 2022.

It was a wonderful evening: great conversation, familiar and new faces, and views over the Tauranga Harbour that made for a fantastic backdrop.

It was great to celebrate alongside Murray Grant, Charles Henley and Caitlin Barclay, who are already doing great work for clients across the Bay of Plenty and throughout New Zealand, and who continue to lead our presence in the region. A special thanks also to Managing Partner Antony Holden and Partners Rebecca Scott, Misha Heneghan and James Dymock for travelling to mark the occasion with us.

We're grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey – and look forward to spending more time with our clients and out in the community of Tauranga!

Address

Level 8/21 Queen Street
Auckland
1143

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+6493771854

Website

https://www.wottonkearney.com/

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