Willy Sussman

Offshore suppliers, are you caught in the New Zealand GST net?

Many countries have expanded or are expanding the scope of their GST or VAT regimes to capture transactions by offshore suppliers that were not previously caught – New Zealand is one of these countries.

COVID-19 Tax relief measures, new and old

The COVID-19 crisis has put significant financial stress on many New Zealand businesses. For many, tax is only one of the liabilities fighting for attention among others in these uncertain times. It has also been a difficult time for internal tax functions with the Alert Level 4 lockdown coinciding

COVID-19: Epidemic notice and emergency powers - what do they mean for businesses and employers?

​​The declaration of a State of National Emergency on 25 March 2020 and issuance of an epidemic notice on 24 March 2020 have opened up a wide range of additional powers for government to enforce the restrictions it will impose under COVID-19 Alert Level 4.

New immigration rules: A streamlined process or more red tape?

​​​​​​​On 17 September, the New Zealand Government announced significant changes to temporary work visas which will have a major impact on employers' recruitment processes where they hire migrant workers.

Trans-Pacific Partnership trade benefits are coming

​​​​Following several years of negotiations, and after the high-profile collapse of the original Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2017, the renamed “Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership” (CPTPP) has now met the required number of ratifications to come into force.

Overseas Investment - review announced just as new regime comes into force

Just days before amendments to New Zealand’s overseas investment regime take effect, the government has announced its intention to undertake a further review of the legislation.

Europe FTA could offer NZ many indirect benefits

A European Free Trade Agreement (FTA) may present more opportunity than just enhanced trade with Europe.

Development exemption struck from Overseas Investment amendments, private bill possible

The surprise removal of a private exemption from the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (the Bill) by New Zealand's Speaker of the House has raised the possibility developers could consider seeking exemptions from the Act through a separate, private bill.

New leniency for foreign buyers in Overseas Investment Act overhaul but redraft raises fresh issues

​​​A select committee report on changes to overseas investment rules has proposed relaxing some of the planned restrictions on foreign buyers which could have hindered development, but the amendments raise a number of new issues that require close examination.

Proposed GST changes for low value goods

​Interested parties should pay attention to the Government’s call for submissions on proposals to lower the threshold at which offshore purchases become liable for GST, with decisions yet to be made on a number of aspects. ​

Update on the new Government’s foreign investment policy direction

​The New Zealand Government has published the first of its changes aimed at strengthening the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (OIA) by issuing a new Directive Letter (Letter) to the Overseas Investment Office (OIO). This will affect foreigners looking to purchase sensitive land in New Zealand.