Baywide Community Law

13/06/2026

If two parents separate, one may have to pay child support to the other, as financial support for the costs of raising the children. Whether child support will have to be paid, and how much, will depend on how much each parent earns and how much time the children live with each parent. To find out more check out our Online Community Law Manual or speak to the IRD.

10/06/2026

If you live along the Bay of Plenty coast, from Waihi to Te Kaha, then we can help you with your legal questions. We have offices in Tauranga and Whakatāne and hold fortnightly in-person clinics in Waihi, Katikati, Te Puke, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki. To find out whether we can make you an appointment for one-on-one legal advice we will need to find out more about your situation so give us a call.

Not in Baywide Community Law's Zone? Not a problem! There are 24 Community Law Centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, with lawyers going to over 120 outreach locations so check out the Community Law website to find a centre near you.

07/06/2026

06/06/2026

Parenting agreements are made between the parents and can’t be enforced in the courts like other agreements or contracts. This means if one parent isn't following the agreement, you can’t ask the Family Court to make the other parent follow the agreement.

Parenting Orders are made by the Family Court to decide who will have day-to-day care of a child and who can have contact with a child. They are made as a last resort when parents haven’t been able to agree on things themselves.

However, parents and guardians can apply to the Family Court to formalise a parenting agreement by turning the agreement into a court order called a Consent Order. The agreement can then be enforced like any other court order.

05/06/2026

At Baywide Community Law, we believe the law should serve everyone, not just those who can afford it. We work alongside our communities to provide trusted, accessible and professional free legal services along the Bay of Plenty coast.

We are now seeking a Managing Lawyer to lead our dedicated legal team across Tauranga and Whakatāne. This is an opportunity for an experienced lawyer who wants their work to matter, someone motivated by impact, people, and community rather than billable hours and corporate targets.
https://nz.seek.com/job/92336847

03/06/2026

In Trouble and Need a Lawyer?
Legal problems can be serious and frightening, and for many people lawyers are completely unaffordable. But everyone has the right to high-quality legal help – that’s where Community Law comes in.

What Does Community Law Do?
Not sure if Community Law is the right service for you? Have a look at what we do, who we are and how we can help

30/05/2026

The Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake now receives more claims for damage from landslides than any other natural hazard.

In the last 5 years, almost 13,000 New Zealand properties have lodged a claim because of landslide damage to their home or land. That's about 10,000 more than the previous 5 years.

Natural hazards insurance can help if the worst happens, but it doesn’t cover everything. There are limits on both the area and the value of land NHC insures.

That’s why Kiwi homeowners are being urged to get prepared by understanding their property’s risk, and what their cover can - and can’t - do for them.

Get familiar with your cover: www.knowyourcover.co.nz

27/05/2026

FREE WHENUA MĀORI WORKSHOP – JUNE

Kia ora e te whānau,

Baywide Community Law is pleased to continue partnering with Te Kooti Whenua Māori to deliver our monthly Free Whenua Māori Workshops.

This month’s kaupapa will focus on:
• Navigating Pātaka Whenua
• General Whenua Māori Information

This workshop will support whānau to better understand how to search and navigate Pātaka Whenua, access whenua information and records, and gain practical guidance around general Māori land matters and processes.

Tuesday 9 June
10:00am – 11:30am

Baywide Community Law
Level 2, Niederer Plaza
195 The Strand, Whakatāne

Please note there will only be one morning workshop for June.

Spaces are limited and bookings are essential.

To register or enquire:
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/c4HwZGtc46tBZP1G7
Ring: 0800 905 916
Visit: www.baywidecls.org.nz

Nau mai, haere mai — we look forward to seeing you there.

WHEN: Tuesday 9 June 2026, at 10:00am in Person or Online via Zoom. ADDRESS: Baywide Community Law, Level 2, Niederer Plaza, 195 The Strand, Whakatāne KAUPAPA: Pātaka Whenua and General Māori Land Matters Free monthly Whenua Māori workshops and one-on-one kōrero run by Māori Land Court kaimahi...

23/05/2026

The biological parents of a child are usually automatically guardians of the child together. However, in some situations the mother may be the child’s sole (only) guardian.
People other than the child’s parents can also become guardians if they are appointed by the court or are listed as a testamentary guardian by a parent in their will.
Guardianship normally ends when the child turns 18 or the guardian is removed by the court.
If you have more questions, have a read through the Online Community Law Manual for more guidance of give us a call on 0800 905916.