Rainey Collins Lawyers

Rainey Collins Lawyers Based in Wellington, we have been helping clients located throughout New Zealand for over 100 years. Collins commenced practice. He took Mr W.

The origins of Rainey Collins can be traced to 1919 when Mr R. Rainey into partnership shortly thereafter. Since those times the firm has undergone three mergers and its name has changed to accommodate these developments and the appointment of partners to the High Court Bench. In 1957 Mr McCarthy (later Sir Thaddeus McCarthy, President of the Court of Appeal) was appointed to the then Supreme Court. The name was changed in 1961 to Rainey Collins Armour and Boock when Mr W. Leicester followed Mr McCarthy onto the bench. In 1986 the firm merged to become Rainey Collins & Olphert and in 1991 the practice merged with Wright & Co of Auckland. The name was changed to Rainey Collins in 2003. This three partner, thirteen lawyer firm is organised into three broad teams supervised by the partners. Business, Property & Personal Legal Services (Claire Tyler), Māori Legal Issues (Peter Johnston) and Dispute Resolution & Litigation (Alan Knowsley).

For many years Rainey Collins has been honoured to represent kaapoo Maaori (blind, vision-impaired and deafblind Maaori)...
10/09/2026

For many years Rainey Collins has been honoured to represent kaapoo Maaori (blind, vision-impaired and deafblind Maaori) as they brought their claim through the Waitangi Tribunal. The Kaapoo Maaori Claimants took part in the Wai 2575 Health Inquiry with a claim focused on the failures of the health and disability system for kaapoo Maaori.

The Tribunal has recently released Hauwhaikaha – The Disability System Report which made a number of findings of Crown breaches of the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi and recommendations for the future.

This report is a testament to the tireless mahi of our claimants: the late Maaka Tibble, Kaapoo Maaori Aotearoa, the wider kaapoo Maaori community, and Kahurangi Fergusson-Tibble. We look forward to continuing to work together to progress the Kaapoo Maaori claim and strive for meaningful change for kaapoo Maaori in Aotearoa.

https://www.raineycollins.co.nz/your-resources/articles/9-9-26-nothing-about-us-without-us

Repairs and maintenance in a unit title complex can be more complicated than many owners realise. When issues arise with...
17/08/2026

Repairs and maintenance in a unit title complex can be more complicated than many owners realise. When issues arise with building elements such as cladding, roofs, decks, or shared infrastructure, responsibility for the costs does not always fall solely on the units directly affected.

Under the Unit Titles Act, body corporates generally have responsibility for maintaining common property and shared building elements, with costs often levied across owners based on their utility interests.

Our Claire Tyler explains more.

https://www.raineycollins.co.nz/your-resources/articles/9-7-26-who-is-responsible-for-repairs-and-maintenance-in-a-unit-title-complex

Rainey Collins was pleased to join discussions with delegates from the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences and attendee...
14/08/2026

Rainey Collins was pleased to join discussions with delegates from the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences and attendees from the China and New Zealand Business Council on China-New Zealand trade and investment, economic development, and opportunities for future collaboration.

These conversations are important for fostering stronger commercial relationships and exploring new opportunities between New Zealand and China.

L-R: Rachel Qi, Peter Johnston, Professor Guo Yuewen, and Michael Stephens.

Heavy rain, flooding and landslips can cause significant property damage, but who is legally responsible when that damag...
07/08/2026

Heavy rain, flooding and landslips can cause significant property damage, but who is legally responsible when that damage affects neighbouring properties?

Our Rachel Collins and Emily Hannon examine the key principles of liability for landslips and flooding, together with the insurance and Natural Hazards Commission cover that may be available to affected property owners.

https://www.raineycollins.co.nz/your-resources/articles/1-7-26-who-is-responsible-for-damage-to-other-properties-from-landslips-and-flooding

A new Bill has been introduced to allow certain Post-settlement Governance Entities (PSGEs) to opt out of the Māori Land...
05/08/2026

A new Bill has been introduced to allow certain Post-settlement Governance Entities (PSGEs) to opt out of the Māori Land Court’s supervisory jurisdiction, reversing the effect of the Supreme Court’s decision in Nikora v Kruger.

Our article examines the proposed changes, their practical implications for governance disputes, and what they may mean for iwi and hapū autonomy in the post-settlement context.

Peter Johnston

https://www.raineycollins.co.nz/your-resources/articles/22-7-26-new-bill-overrules-supreme-court-decision-psges-can-opt-out-of-maori-land-court-supervision

Address

Level 14, 318 Lambton Quay
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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