News and views

At Easter time, our area has become synonymous with two particular headline grabbers: the amazing biennial Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow … and retailers’ rebellion over laws that saw all Queenstown businesses free to open, but the rest of Central Otago-Lakes District forced to close – or trade illegally.

Brace yourself! The much-publicised, major changes around all things health and safety in the workplace – are now, officially, upon us.

In the wake of Canterbury’s devastating earthquakes, the Supreme Court has handed down a decision providing building owners, councils and insurers a clear steer on seismic strengthening.

I read some jaw-dropping stats on a news site recently. Surely, surely they can’t be that high, I mused. I headed straight to the website of the statistical source, Statistics New Zealand, and, sure enough, the rate of injury-based claims to ACC from our high-risk sectors – forestry, agriculture and fishing – was more than sobering.

Have you ever been bamboozled when a shop assistant offers you an extended warrant on your latest purchase? Maybe you’ve bought something online that just doesn’t work when it is delivered to your door. Fear not, the law is at work to protect you.

“A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it is written on”- Sam Goldwyn Sam Goldwyn recognised the importance of a written contract. A recent Supreme Court case (Vector Gas Limited v. Bay of Plenty Energy Limited) highlights the importance of careful and accurate drafting of contracts.