New Zealand Law Society - Links and key contact information
The Law Society has collated links to information the profession may find helpful, and key contact information for agencies and organisations.
All LINZ services, including Landonline, are operating during the national state of emergency activated in response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
LINZ is working closely with colleagues across Government to support communities throughout New Zealand affected by the cyclone.
The information below provides advice about changes to LINZ services and will be updated as information comes to hand.
Leaseholders and tenants
LINZ is providing support to tenants and lease holders of LINZ managed properties in cyclone impacted areas.
Tenants and lease holders should contact their property manager at Colliers in the first instance with any requests – residential 0800 444 405 or Residential.Helpdesk@colliers.com.
Landonline
Advice to conveyancing professionals with clients affected by Cyclone Gabrielle
Due to travel issues and other significant disruptions in areas affected by Cyclone Gabrielle some practitioners may be unable to meet with new or existing clients in person to take conveyancing instructions.
In these situations, and where practicable, practitioners may follow the guidance set out in the Authority and Identity Requirements and Electronic Signing of Documents Interim Guideline 2020.
Practitioners should retain a file note recording what other reasonable steps were taken to verify the identity of the client.
Related information: Authority and identity and Signing documents remotely.
Overseas investment
Extension to reporting deadlines for overseas investment consent holders affected by cyclone Gabrielle
With the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle still being felt across the North Island, all reporting deadlines for consent holders affected by the cyclone have been extended until 28 February 2024 so the focus can remain on recovery efforts. This extension will be revisited if necessary.
LINZ will be working on a longer-term strategy to deal with conditions that may not be met or will be significantly impacted by the effects of the cyclone. In the meantime, LINZ will not be taking enforcement action on conditions that consent holders are unable to meet due to the effects of the cyclone.
Related information: Comply with the conditions of your consent
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Services is temporarily adjusting the minimum hours Duty Lawyers can claim for rostered shifts, due to the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. If a duty lawyer is rostered to be available for the duty lawyer service, he or she may claim a minimum of 2 hours, or the actual hours attended, if that is more than 2 hours.
These changes will apply from Monday 13th February 2023 until further notice. If you have any questions regarding this process, please email them through to lsc@justice.govt.nz.
Additional payment to instruct another Provider
As per the Delegations Policy, providers may choose to instruct another provider to complete activities such as research, printing and preparing disclosure etc. Where these activities have occurred, we will approve up to an additional 2 hours at your legal aid rate for the case without requiring an amendment to grant. Your invoice should briefly describe the additional services and reference Cyclone Gabrielle.
Courts operations
The Law Society has updated the profession when new details regarding courts operations become available. Further guidance will be issued on Courts of NZ and the District Court website if the situation changes. The Law Society will continue to update the profession as more guidance and information becomes available through email, our website and our social media channels.
If in doubt, please ring 0800 COURTS for more information, or visit www.courtsofnz.govt.nz
Civil Defence Centres are open across affected regions for those who need to evacuate and cannot stay with friends or whānau. Please bring with you any essential items you may need, including medication, warm clothing, and baby items.
For an up-to-date list of Civil Defence Centres, visit your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Website. For those unable to reach a Civil Defence Centre, please contact your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group to discuss your options.
https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/find-your-civil-defence-group
Support and assistance is available if you've been directly affected by the recent severe weather. There are lots of ways Work and Income can help, and we can point you in the right direction based on your situation. You don't have to be on a benefit.
In emergencies, Work and Income can help with costs if you don't have any other way of paying.
Work and Income can help with:
Work and Income also provides other help such as benefits and help with paying your housing costs. Everyone’s situation is different, so what you qualify for will depend on your situation. You may have to pay the money back depending on your situation.
Website: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/urgent-costs/index.html
Call on 0800 400 100 for help with emergency costs from 8.00am – 5.00pm.
If your home, car, or contents have been damaged by the severe weather, take photos before you remove or repair anything and report it to your insurance company as soon as possible. You only need to contact your insurance company and they’ll let you know what you need to do next, how to claim and – if applicable – how EQ Cover from Toka Tū Ake EQC works.
If you need to make your home safe, sanitary, secure, and weather tight, please record the work done, take before and after photos, and keep copies of the bills you paid.
If you don't have house insurance but do have contents insurance, speak to your insurer about what is covered. Make sure you take lots of photos and keep good records before you throw anything out, where possible.
Free and independent advice is available through Residential Advisory Service (RAS) within MBIE provide advocacy services and advice to homeowners who are navigating insurance claims to remediate damage suffered due to an event. You can contact info@advisory.org.nz or ring 0800 777 299, 03 379 7027 for more information.
A new national service providing homeowners with independent support to resolve residential insurance issues resulting from natural disasters, will become available from 20 February, 2023.
The New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS) will help homeowners across the country, find resolution, by providing access to legal, engineering and wellbeing support, tailored to their individual needs.
For more information, please visit New national service supporting homeowners affected by a natural disaster | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
EQCover provides the following:
Flood and storm damage, EQCover only applies to insured land, with private insurers generally providing cover for homes.
Land claims can take some time to resolve and communication between impacted people and their
If you are the tenant or landlord of a rental property, you can find information on your rights and obligations at www.tenancy.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 TENANCY (0800 836 262).
The following information will also help you with general wellbeing. The importance of trying to get enough sleep during these challenging times
The importance of explaining what is going on to children – talking to them and listening to them
For general information on Cyclone Gabrielle and how to keep safe, please visit Civil Defence(external link) for up-to-date information and advice.