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AWS Legal announced Donald McIntosh as the 2022 recipient of the inaugural Stephen Whiteland Memorial Scholarship, on Monday. Formed in honour of Stephen Whiteland, a beloved AWS Legal staff member and friend who sadly passed away in May 2021, the Stephen Whiteland Memorial Scholarship was awarded in collaboration with Steve’s family to recognise and support […]

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Allanah Cunningham (Left) has been promoted to Senior Associate, Robbie McKenzie (Middle) to Associate, and Brigitte Simpson (Right) to Senior Solicitor. “Allanah, Robbie, and Brigitte, under the guidance of the Partnership, have developed and continue to develop excellent legal skills in their specialty areas.” AWS Legal CEO Grant Yorkstone said. “It is a genuine pleasure […]

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Yesterday’s announcement from the Minister for Immigration confirmed that the Skilled Migrant Resident Visa Category (SMC) will reopen next month.  The Expression of Interest (EOI) pool selection has been on hold since the start of the pandemic in 2020.  However, the EOI pool remained open for applicants to apply, leaving many EOI’s awaiting the recommencement […]

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Background At a meeting held on 11 August 2022, the Queenstown Lakes District Council (Council) agreed to notify a proposed “Inclusionary Housing” plan change (Plan Change) via the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The Plan Change essentially seeks to “tax” certain property development and subdivision activity by requiring a financial contribution […]

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Jono Cole has joined the AWS Legal Queenstown team, as an experienced business lawyer specialising in corporate and commercial law. Jono grew up in Queenstown before attending Otago University. He then worked in Wellington for a decade, before returning to the South with his young family. Jono Cole has extensive experience in corporate and commercial law. His […]

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A huge day today here at AWS Legal, as we celebrated four of our amazing young graduates’ admissions to the bar at the Invercargill District Court. Bella Hiroki works in our rural team, and was moved by Partner, Toni Green. Rebecca Scott works in our Winton office, and was moved by Partner, Chris Menzies. William Swan works in our Property & Projects […]

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The new Active Investor Plus Visa (AI+) opens on 19 September 2022 replacing the current Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas. Announced by the Minister for Economic and Regional Development on 20 July, the new visa pathway is a part of the Government’s Immigration Rebalance strategy which intends to attract high value investors to bring […]

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If you need long-term residential care, you may be eligible for the Residential Care Subsidy, also known as a rest home subsidy. Associate Allanah Cunningham answers all your burning questions about the subsidies. What is a rest home subsidy? It is a form of benefit provided by the government to assist with the costs of […]

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Mooving day has come and gone with the team at AWS Legal seeing a record number of settlements. The first day of winter, mooving day marks the date farming families, shareholders, contract milkers and employees across the region move to new farms. Despite it being just one day, preparation for mooving day takes weeks and […]

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Emily Barns is the newest superstar in our Queenstown office. She has been working at AWS Legal since the beginning of the year, after graduating from the University of Canterbury. She recently finished her professional studies and works alongside Partner Haydon Cunninghame and Associate Rachel Buckley on property matters. Emily is one of our Queenstown […]

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