Our individual talent drives our collective excellence
We work together across the firm as one team. Our diversity fuels our culture. Our people's backgrounds, cultures, experiences and skills drive fresh thinking, new ideas, unique perspectives and insights, allowing us to collectively develop new and better solutions for our clients.
Find out moreRegionally present. Nationally focused. Globally connected.
We are the law firm at the centre of New Zealand's economic and commercial heartland. We strive to make a tangible difference to the communities we serve and to New Zealand through our work and the outcomes we create.
Find out moreWe help our clients make confident decisions.
Utilising the knowledge and experience of our whole firm, we give practical advice, drawing on the depth of our expertise to develop effective solutions for our clients, allowing them to achieve their goals and desired outcomes.
Find out moreTompkins Wake is powered by the collective knowledge and experience of our team of experts. Our clients get the best knowledge, experience and expertise from across the firm on every matter.
Our Expertise
Tompkins Wake is the law firm that clients turn to for help on the matters most important to them. We use our collective knowledge and expertise to develop solutions to the complex and sophisticated challenges our clients present.
New Zealand's Mid-Sized Law Firm of the Year for 2019, 2020 and 2021 (New Zealand Law Awards), Tompkins Wake is recognised globally for the quality and impact of our work and our exceptional people.
Knowledge
Busting Myths - Biometric Privacy in New Zealand
Friday 10 May, 2024
We're reviewing biometrics and the draft Biometric Processing Privacy Code recently released by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. The Code will apply to organisations that collect biometric information for biometric processing (i.e. to recognise or classify people using their biometric information).
WorkSafe charges Whangarei Boys High School Board over Student's Death
Wednesday 8 May, 2024
Yesterday WorkSafe announced that it is charging the Whangarei Boys High School Board of Trustees in relation to the death of one of its students on a caving trip. Karnin Petera died on a school trip to Abbey Caves last year.
Copyright in Separation – A Fine Art
Monday 22 April, 2024
In the recent case of Alalääkkölä v Palmer, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s ruling that copyright in artwork is relationship property. However, the Court of Appeal held that the copyright should remain in the sole legal ownership of the artist, with compensation to be made to the partner from other source of relationship property.
New Rules on Indirect Data Collection
Thursday 11 April, 2024
An amendment to the Privacy Act 2020 has been introduced to Parliament with the aim of providing greater transparency for individuals whose personal information is being collected by organisations indirectly.
Spouses' and Partners' Rights to Property
Thursday 21 March, 2024
Section 44 of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (the Act) gives the Court authority to set aside a transfer or disposition of property if it has been made to defeat the rights of a spouse or partner. Sutton v Bell has ruled that section 44 can apply to transfers or dispositions made before a de facto relationship has begun. Tompkins Wake Partner Zandra Wackenier was part of the team acting on behalf of the appellants. She suggests the decision creates ...
Gangs Targeted by New Bill
Tuesday 19 March, 2024
The Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill (“the Bill”) is part of the Government’s 100-day plan to restore law and order. Introduced to Parliament on 7 March 2024 it has been referred to the Justice Select Committee for report back by 8 July 2024. Submissions must be received by 5 April 2024.