Resident pathways are back but with a new visa on the horizon!

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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Inclusionary Zoning “Tax” / The QLDC Affordable Housing Strategy (2022)

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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Experienced business lawyer, Jono Cole, joins the AWS Legal team

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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Congratulations to Bella, Rebecca, Rebecca and William on their admission to the Bar.

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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Investor visa category shake up with a new visa

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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Congratulations Rachel Buckley, Jayne Lambie, Chantal Ryan and Georgia Johnston!

We are proud to announce congratulations on the promotion of four talented lawyers: Rachel Buckley, Jayne Lambie, Chantal Ryan and Georgia Johnston. Rachel Buckley, Associate Rachel Buckley is an Associate at the AWS Legal Queenstown office. Rachel has been part of the AWS Legal team since July 2018 and is a member of the New Zealand […]

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