Contracts Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on contracts for new zealand businesses.
Do You Know About Unfair Contract Terms? (2026 Updated)
If you run a business, chances are you use contracts every day - quotes, online terms, supply agreements, customer sign-ups, subscription terms, and more. But there’s a catch many business owners don’t...
5 January 2025
Do I Need A Facility Management Agreement? (2026 Updated)
If you manage (or own) a building, site, or portfolio of premises, you’ll know facility management can quickly get complex. Cleaning, security, maintenance schedules, contractor access, compliance tasks, emergencies, after-hours callouts -...
5 January 2025
Understanding Hire Purchase Agreements (2026 Updated)
If you’re buying equipment, vehicles, or big-ticket assets for your business, it’s normal to look for a payment option that doesn’t drain your cash flow on day one. That’s where hire purchase...
5 January 2025
Do You Need Website Terms & Conditions (2026 Updated)
If you’ve built a website for your business (or you’re about to launch one), it’s normal to wonder whether you really need website Terms & Conditions. After all, you’re not trying to...
5 January 2025
Is A Quotation Legally Binding? (2026 Updated)
You’ve probably been here before: you send a quote, the customer says “sounds good”, and then everything changes - they ask for a lower price, a different scope, or they walk away...
5 January 2025
When To Use eCommerce Terms And Conditions (2026 Updated)
When you’re building an online store, it’s easy to focus on the fun parts first: your products, branding, website design, and getting your first sales through the door. But if you want...
5 January 2025
What Does ‘Going Concern’ Mean In Business? (2026 Updated)
If you’re buying or selling a business (or even just negotiating finance), you’ll often see the phrase “going concern” pop up in contracts, accounts, and emails from advisors. It sounds technical, but...
5 January 2025
What Is An Indemnity Clause? (2026 Updated)
If you’re signing contracts for your business (or even just getting started), you’ve probably seen the word “indemnity” pop up and thought: what does that actually mean in real life? An indemnity...
5 January 2025
How Can I Be Released From My Contractual Obligations? (2026 Updated)
Signing a contract can feel like a big “locked in” moment - especially when your business changes direction, cashflow tightens, or the deal just isn’t working the way you expected. If you’re...
5 January 2025
Drag Along & Tag Along Clauses In Shareholders Agreements (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a company with other shareholders, it’s easy to focus on the exciting stuff (product, customers, growth) and put the “legal fine print” off until later. But when a shareholder...
5 January 2025
What Is The Legal Age To Sign A Contract? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a business (or even just buying or selling something online), you’ll eventually wonder: what’s the legal age to sign a contract in New Zealand? It’s a common situation. You...
5 January 2025
How Can I Make Verbal Promises Legally Binding? (2026 Updated)
You’ve probably been there: you have a quick chat with a supplier, a customer, a potential co-founder, or even a mate helping you out - and you agree on something important. Then...
5 January 2025
How Can A Forward Contract Protect My Business? (2026 Updated)
If your business buys or sells overseas, imports stock, exports products, or relies on fluctuating input costs, you’ve probably felt the sting of prices changing at the worst possible time. A forward...
5 January 2025
The Importance Of Online Hire Agreements (2026 Updated)
If you hire out equipment, vehicles, tools, party gear, tech, or even short-term use of specialist assets, chances are your customers want to book quickly and pay online. That’s where online hire...
5 January 2025
When Is A Contract Unenforceable? (2026 Updated)
Most business owners assume that if something’s “in writing and signed”, it’s automatically legally binding. In reality, some contracts can be unenforceable in New Zealand - which means that even if you’ve...
5 January 2025
Thinking About A Loan For You Business? You Might Need A Loan Agreement (2026 Updated)
You’ve found a growth opportunity, a new supplier deal, or a piece of equipment that will pay for itself over time - but you need cash now. That’s where a business loan...
5 January 2025
How To Set Out Good Business Terms and Conditions (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a business in New Zealand, there’s a good chance you’ve already had the “do we actually need terms and conditions?” conversation - usually after a customer dispute, a late...
5 January 2025
How To Initial A Document (2026 Updated)
Initialling a document sounds simple - until you’re staring at a 40-page agreement, wondering where you’re meant to put your initials, why you’re doing it, and whether it actually matters if you...
5 January 2025
Owner Driver Contracts: What Are The New Laws? (2026 Updated)
If you run a transport business (or you’re a driver with your own vehicle), “owner driver” arrangements can feel like a win-win. You get flexibility, the work gets done, and everyone can...
5 January 2025
What Is An Authority To Act Form? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a business, there will be times when you need someone else to deal with “official” matters on your behalf. Maybe you’re busy running day-to-day operations, you’re overseas, you’re unwell,...
5 January 2025
What Is An Exclusion Clause? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a business, you’ve probably seen (or used) a clause that tries to limit what you’re responsible for when things go wrong. That’s where exclusion clauses come in. They can...
5 January 2025
What Is A Consultancy Agreement? (2026 Updated)
Hiring a consultant can be a game-changer for your business. Maybe you’re bringing in a marketing specialist to launch a new product, a software developer to build a platform, or a finance...
5 January 2025
I’m Selling Alcohol Online - What Terms And Conditions Do I Need? (2026 Updated)
Selling alcohol online can be a great business move. You can reach customers across New Zealand, build a loyal following, and run a store without the same overheads as a physical venue....
5 January 2025
What Is A Deed Of Accession? (2026 Updated)
If you’re bringing a new shareholder, investor, co-founder, or key team member into your business, you’ll usually be told they need to “sign a deed of accession”. That can sound intimidating, but...
5 January 2025
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