Quite often, a company holding a family business may need to improve its ownership structure; this can mean transferring shares from ‘individuals’ into ‘trusts’. Common situations where this occurs: Succession planning – when the controlling individuals bring family members together in an attempt to make a viable business across generations. Risk protection – when the […]

Most mornings over the past ten years, I ride down Tamaki Drive from Eastern Bays towards our city offices, while dawn cracks against Auckland’s skyline and the sun rises from Waiheke Island. Typically, I would see less than ten bikes along the way. In recent years, more and more bikes have joined the commute. I […]

I was recently listening to the audio book ‘Game of Thrones’ and the saying “A Lannister always pays his debts.” struck me and reminded me of the incidents of two entities: both were from overseas, both engaged New Zealand professional services and both neglected to manage their debts. It was so easy walking into an office having a lengthy talk […]

Are you a parent to be and feeling a bit of dread about the responsibilities laying ahead? Or are you a parent of primary school kids and struggling between your career, kids’ activities and looking after yourself? Or do you have grown up kids and are now second guessing whether you could have done a […]

I started to plan the trip in March 2019 – walking a month on Te Araroa trail covering a third of a South Island section – from Queen Charlotte to Harper Pass. Once I had laid out a rough itinerary, I tried to invite people to go with me. There were several who showed interest, […]

2019 is almost at its end, but I have finally found time, in amongst budgets, investment opportunities, preparing for end of the year and then the year ahead… to write about my two trips to China this year. Events and Celebrations When there’s a big event, who pays the bill? One of my visits was […]

The Trusts Act 2019 received royal consent in July 2019 and will come into effect after 30th January 2021. The Act codifies existing practice surrounding trusts. The key changes are: Extension of a trust’s life from 80 years to 125 years. Defined trustee duties to mandatory duties and default duties. Default duties can be contracted […]

中国税务讲座 We would like to invite you to a Chinese tax seminar with keynote speaker Russell Brown. The seminar will be hosted and translated into Chinese by Yi Ping Ge. China’s new tax system for individuals and what it means for Chinese individuals not residing in China; Tax in China and tax on China sourced […]

In five years’ time, I will have lived in New Zealand for as long as I lived in China. Experiencing the two cultures first hand has given me great understanding from both perspectives. New Zealand as an immigration destination Deciding to leave everything behind, move to a new place and start a new life, requires […]

When you visit a place like Washington DC, where the most powerful country was birthed and read the words inscribed in the Jefferson Monument: [box] “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and […]