Business Law Library & Tracker

Commercial Leases & Property

Business premises, lease risk, fitout, access and property-related disputes.

Browse main lawsSee latest updates

Sources last reviewed 17 Aug 2026

Main law guides

158

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

97

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

11

New, amended & reviewed

Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.

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Main laws

Main lawNew Zealand

Property Law Act 2007

2007 No 91

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyContracts & CommercialCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawNew Zealand

Land Transfer Act 2017

2017 No 30

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & Remedies
Main lawNew Zealand

Local Government (Rating) Act 2002

2002 No 6

PriorityIn force7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsEnvironmental Consents & WasteInsurance Policies & Claims
Main lawNew Zealand

Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993

1993 No 4

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceShareholders & Company ControlLiquidation & RestructuringDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
Main lawNew Zealand

Forestry Rights Registration Act 1983

1983 No 42

PriorityIn force9 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceLicences, Permits & RegistrationsAgriculture, Farming & Rural BusinessImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Main lawNew Zealand

Unit Titles Act 2010

2010 No 22

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceDirectors' Duties & GovernanceShareholders & Company ControlDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
Main lawNew Zealand

Occupiers' Liability Act 1962

1962 No 31

PriorityIn force7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceContractors & Worker StatusWorkplace Health & SafetyCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsLicences, Permits & RegistrationsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawNew Zealand

Trespass Act 1980

1980 No 65

PriorityIn force8 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Commercial Leases & PropertyRegulatory ComplianceContractors & Worker StatusLicences, Permits & Registrations

Tracker

  1. Case20 July 2026

    Worker-status and lease-remediation cases added

    New Zealand businesses get concrete review steps for contractor models and for lease clauses dealing with baseline condition, contamination and make-good obligations.

    Employment & WorkplaceCommercial Leases & Property

Cases

Supreme Court of New Zealand[2020] NZSC 535 June 2020

127 Hobson Street Ltd v Honey Bees Preschool Ltd

Commercial default clauses can be enforceable when they protect a real business interest and are proportionate. Drafting should show why the obligation matters,...

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Contracts & CommercialCommercial Leases & PropertyCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2016] NZSC 611 June 2016

John Gilbert and QSM Trustees Limited (in receivership and in liquidation) v Body Corporate 162791

Read this case as a strong warning rather than a neat bright-line rule. Do not assume body corporate levies are just an old debt that stays with the owner company...

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Commercial Leases & PropertyDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesLiquidation & RestructuringDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & Payments
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2016] NZSC 8920 July 2016

Mobil Oil NZ Ltd v Development Auckland Ltd

A general make-good clause may not allocate expensive contamination or structural remediation risk. Commercial leases for industrial or higher-risk sites should...

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Commercial Leases & PropertyEnvironment, Waste & PollutionContracts & CommercialCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesTelecommunications, Media & ContentStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2014] NZSC 1378 Oct 2014

Chuan Wu v Body Corporate 366611 and Theta Management Limited

If your business owns or occupies premises in a unit title development, do not treat access control as just an operational issue. It is tied to property rights,...

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Commercial Leases & PropertyDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesData Breaches & CybersecurityCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
Supreme Court of New Zealand[2014] NZSC 14715 Oct 2014

Firm PI 1 Limited v Zurich Australian Insurance Limited

A replacement-value label does not protect a business from an inadequate sum insured or an unclear interaction with statutory and other insurance. Check both the...

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Contracts & CommercialCommercial Leases & PropertyDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsNatural Hazards, Climate & Resilience