We're pleased to introduce Zak Nasir , Senior Associate in our Land Development and Commercial Property team. Zak brings a unique blend of legal and planning expertise, helping clients navigate some of New Zealand's most complex property and development projects. With extensive experience in land development, subdivisions, commercial property and resource management matters, Zak advises developers, private clients and infrastructure providers on all aspects of property acquisition, development structuring, subdivision, leasing and disposal. His practice spans projects of all sizes, from boutique developments through to major residential subdivisions involving hundreds of lots. Before becoming a lawyer, Zak worked as a town planner, giving him a valuable understanding of the planning and development process. This background allows him to identify potential issues early and provide commercially focused, practical advice throughout the life of a project. Clients and colleagues alike value his ability to bridge legal, planning and development considerations to achieve successful outcomes. He has previously worked in London as a lawyer and most recently at a large top tier firm in Auckland. Throughout his career, Zak has advised on significant commercial property transactions, large-scale development projects, leasing arrangements and Public Works Act matters. He is known for his pragmatic approach and his ability to work collaboratively with surveyors, engineers, planners and government agencies to resolve complex issues efficiently. Whether assisting first-time developers or experienced industry participants, Zak is committed to delivering clear, practical solutions that help clients move forward with confidence. We are delighted to have him as part of the Glaister Keegan team and look forward to the continued value he brings to our clients and colleagues. Contact: zak.nasir@glaister.co.nz
Alternative Holidays Current system If the full-time employee works on a public holiday that is an OWD, they get one full alternative holiday , no matter how many hours they worked. The full-time employee must take their leave on another OWD. The full-time employee can cash their leave up after 12 months. Proposed new system The full-time employee earns alternative holiday hours , matching the number of hours they worked (or were on call and called in) on the public holiday. The full-time employee can take the hours on any day they could normally work . The full-time employee can cash their hours up at any time . Leave Payments Current system Leave payments require multiple calculations to account for variable hours and payments. Annual leave taken soon after parental or volunteer leave is paid at a lower rate . Proposed new system All leave is paid at an hourly rate , based on the lowest hourly rate payable for the day the leave is taken plus an average for piece‑rate work. Fixed allowances are paid in full during leave. Annual leave after parental or volunteer leave is paid normally . Leave Compensation Payments (Replacing “Pay as You Go”) Current system Employers and workers can agree to “Pay as You Go” (8% of gross earnings) for casual short‑term work. Proposed new system A Leave Compensation Payment (LCP) of 12.5% of a worker’s ordinary hourly rate is paid on all casual hours . Workers with standard hours also get LCP on additional hours they work, instead of accruing annual or sick leave on those hours. Fixed‑term workers earn leave from day one .
Artificial intelligence ( AI ) is no longer a futuristic idea knocking at the door of legal practice. It is already here. For lawyers, the challenge is not simply to use AI, but to use it responsibly, carefully, and in a way that genuinely benefits clients. In broad terms, AI can process, organise, and generate information at speed. In legal practice, that can be valuable. AI can assist with first drafts of correspondence, summarising lengthy emails or documents, preparing chronologies, comparing versions of agreements, identifying recurring clauses, and improving the clarity of client updates. For example, a lawyer reviewing a large chain of correspondence may use AI to prepare an initial summary of key dates and issues. A commercial lawyer may use it to highlight changes between document versions. A litigator may use it to organise background material before preparing advice. Used properly, AI can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks and allow lawyers to focus on judgment, strategy, and client service. However, AI is not a lawyer in disguise. It can produce inaccurate material, miss context, reflect bias, orgenerate confident-sounding answers that are wrong. In legal practice, there are also serious risks around privacy, confidentiality, professional responsibility, and over-reliance. AI may assist with the heavy lifting, but lawyers must still hold the pen. At Glaister Keegan Lawyers, our AI journey is guided by a balance of innovation and discipline. The firm has developed an artificial intelligence policy to guide the responsible, ethical, and practical use of AI. The policy includes strict requirements relating to privacy, confidentiality, competence, professional responsibility, and verification. Client confidentiality remains fundamental. The firm will take a careful and measured approach to the use of AI tools. Any AI tool used by the firm must provide appropriate safeguards for privacy, confidentiality and information security. This means adopting tools and processes that support the secure handling of client information, controlled access, and responsible use, while maintaining the standards of care, confidentiality, and professionalism our clients expect. Our staff are receiving appropriate guidance and training on the responsible use of AI tools, including their limitations and the circumstances in which they may be used. All AI-generated output will be checked by our staff before being used or relied upon. In short, we are embracing AI, but with the guardrails firmly in place. For us, AI is not about replacing people with prompts. It is about equipping our lawyers to work more efficiently, think more clearly, and continue delivering practical, trusted legal advice in a changing world. About the Author - Adrian Sharma is a qualified Fiji lawyer and our AML Compliance Officer. As he works towards requalifying in New Zealand, he continues to contribute his strong legal and compliance knowledge, with a keen interest in how emerging technologies such as AI are shaping the future of business and professional services.