News - Parry Field Lawyers

Parry Field Lawyers were delighted to host more than 60 guests in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to celebrate the launch of our new office, a milestone that reflects continued growth and a commitment to being accessible to clients across Aotearoa New Zealand.

It was a pleasure to connect in person with clients, referrers, and the wider community on Wednesday 29 October to mark the occasion. We are grateful to everyone who took the time and joined us to celebrate. Thank you for providing such a warm welcome to Tāmaki Makaurau.

Opening an on-the-ground presence in Auckland reflects the firm’s commitment to getting to know each client and working alongside them to support them with what matters most.

With a growing national team of around 100 staff, our newest office positions us to support organisations and individuals in New Zealand’s largest city, alongside our existing offices in Christchurch’s city centre and Riccarton, Rolleston, and Hokitika.

Partner, Steven Moe, welcomes guests to the Parry Field Lawyers launch event in Auckland on Wednesday 29 October.

Why Auckland and why now

An Auckland presence allows Parry Field Lawyers to directly support for-purpose organisations, charities, businesses, and individuals in the region, pairing the experience and expertise of our Partners and team with the ability to meet in-person when it counts.

A personable approach and strong relationships with our clients underpin the high-quality service the firm provides. Our commitment is to serve our clients well and have a positive impact – particularly in our areas of expertise in commercial and Impact law, supporting and advising charities, churches, and for-purpose organisations.

Our team spend regular time in Tāmaki Makaurau and the firm is focused on growing the Auckland-based team, with Solicitor, Shimpei Sato, joining Special Counsel, Anna Rosevear, in November.

Parry Field Lawyers team in attendance. Top: Kris Morrison, Shimpei Sato, Gilbert McKinnon, Paul Cowey, Steven Moe. Bottom: Yang Su, Doris Tu, Judith Bullin, Anna Rosevear. Not pictured: Alex Summerlee.

About Parry Field Lawyers

Established in 1948, Parry Field Lawyers provides innovative, practical legal solutions in our core practice areas of charity, commercial, disputes, for-purpose, immigration, and property. With five offices across New Zealand and a dedicated team, we are well-equipped to support clients wherever they are based.

You can find our Auckland office at Level 7, 50 Albert Street, Auckland. To get in touch with our team, phone +64 9 930 4340 or reach out via our website.

Parry Field Lawyers are pleased to announce the opening of our Auckland office, an exciting milestone reflecting the ongoing growth of the firm and our commitment to being accessible to our clients across Aotearoa New Zealand.

With strong roots in Canterbury and the West Coast region, Parry Field’s expertise and dedication to providing sound legal advice has seen the firm expand to over 100 staff serving clients throughout the country. To support this, we are pleased to now have a physical presence in Auckland’s city centre – positioning us to better support clients in New Zealand’s largest city, and where Special Counsel, Anna Rosevear, is based.

The Auckland office becomes the firm’s fifth location, with existing offices in Christchurch’s city centre and Riccarton, the Selwyn District, and Hokitika.

A key principle for the firm is to be accessible to our clients and establishing an Auckland presence allows us to directly support for-purpose organisations, charities, businesses, and individuals in the region with legal structures, property, and disputes. We’re excited to connect more closely with existing clients and build new relationships across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Our commitment is to serve our clients well and have a positive impact – particularly in our areas of expertise in commercial, business, and Impact law, supporting and advising charities, churches, and not-for-profit organisations. We also offer many free resources, videos, and articles on our website to support organisations and individuals.

Parry Field Partnership Chair, Paul Owens, commented, “This is an exciting time for Parry Field and reflects the strong growth of our firm. Our team operates nationally, and we want clients to know they can reach out to us at any time for practical, values-driven legal support that puts their needs first.”

Established in 1948, Parry Field Lawyers provides innovative, practical legal solutions in property, commercial, employment and business law, charity and social enterprises, immigration, estates, and dispute resolution. With five offices across New Zealand and a dedicated team, we are well-equipped to support clients wherever they are based.

To learn more or connect with our Auckland team, get in touch today.

NEWS UPDATE NEW ERA FOR PARRY FIELD LAWYERS Parry Field’s new CEO Gilbert McKinnon 22 November 2024 Parry Field Lawyers has welcomed a new member of its leadership team with the appointment of a Chief Executive role for the business. CEO Gilbert McKinnon joins from November and will be working closely with Parry Field […]

We have a lot of exceptional people across Parry Field Lawyers and are delighted to officially welcome the newest member of our West Coast team.

Maria Smith has joined our Hokitika office providing support to clients on a range of matters including rural, residential and commercial property.

She’s spent the past eight years working in a mid-sized Dunedin law firm and grew up, and studied, in Otago.

“I am really enjoying Hokitika, and the wildness of the West Coast,” Maria says. “I particularly notice the warmth of people here and the relaxed pace. It’s great.”

Maria is also enjoying the diversity of work and meeting new clients.

“I think that’s why Parry Field is such a good fit for me – to be able to take the time to really get to know clients. There are clients from Otago that I will miss a lot but I’m looking forward to making new connections here.”

Background in planning

Admitted to the Bar in early 2021, Maria began her career in architectural draughting.

She then decided to do her law degree when she developed an interest in planning and the Resource Management Act.

Initially Maria studied law part-time and says once she’d completed her degree it was clear it wasn’t planning but the law itself that became her main interest.

“Basically, I’m keen on supporting people with property transactions or leases, Powers of Attorney, wills, estates and trusts, ” she says.

“I like being able to help and this work allows me to do that and be in the background getting things done.”

Maria takes over from the good work in Hokitika by solicitor Zahra Rafyee who has now moved to Christchurch based in our Riccarton office.

Trends on Coast

Our West Coast-based Partner Joseph Morris says there has been a steady increase in residential property sales over winter and it’s been a busy first half the year for the team there.

“We are seeing an increase in rural work, and we also have a number of new clients that have family trusts, in light of the new Trusts Act 2019,” he says.

“We have had very good feedback regarding the Trust Management Service that we have introduced at Parry Field.” Joseph says it’s an opportunity to make sure that clients’ family trusts are up to date and fit for purpose.

The Act came into force in January 2021 and is the first major trust law reform in New Zealand for decades. There’s further information on our website with a Practical Guide to Family Trusts or guidance on the Impact of the Trusts Act 2019.

Get in touch with Maria or any of our Coast team: Maria Smith – Parry Field Lawyers.

Parry Field Lawyers has expanded its offering to clients with the opening of a fourth office and a return to the Christchurch CBD, for the first time since the 2011 February earthquake.

It’s nearly 12 years to the day since our team, along with others, were trapped on the upper floors of the 17-storey Forsyth Barr building in Colombo Street and had to be rescued by crane.

The new offices on the first level of the PWC Tower in Cashel Street have been officially opened by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger, who thanked the firm for its ongoing commitment to Christchurch and in particular for the decision to return to the heart of the city.

“It’s investment by businesses like yours that help drive our economy and support the community,” he said. “Thanks for all the work you do as a legal team to remove barriers and find solutions for your clients.”

The Mayor also congratulated Parry Field on the choice of location by the Bridge of Remembrance. The building at 60 Cashel Street was one of the first significant rebuilds after the earthquake and was designed to 130% of the Building Code.

“It’s a great example of the determination to build better – to create work environments that are safer, stronger, and smarter.”

Parry Field’s Chair, Kris Morrison, formally welcomed the Mayor and guests to the opening, saying the partners are very thankful to all those who have been clients, advisors, friends and supporters of the business over many years.

“It’s a significant moment for us to re-opening city offices. Up until 22 February in 2011 Parry Field had had offices in the Christchurch CBD continuously from or very close after its original founding in 1948.”

He recalled the moment the earthquake struck; looking from the 15^th floor at the huge cloud of dust coming over the city and the wait, eventually being rescued by crane.

“Looking over the edge of the balcony, we had some trepidation about climbing over and into the crane basket, but when it arrived, we climbed in. The trip to the ground was surprisingly quick and smooth. It felt as comfortable as an ordinary lift ride.”

Thinking back to that day and the loss and damage in the earthquakes, he said it is encouraging to see what progress there has been. “It has been exciting to see the return of business and life to the central city over the last few years in particular, and it is exciting to be joining that return ourselves.”

Opening a fourth office is also a reflection of the growth the firm has experienced – from a team of 25 staff a decade ago, to more than 80 now, including an office in Riccarton, and regional offices in the Selwyn district and on the West Coast in Hokitika.

“One key principle for us as a law firm is that we always want to be and feel accessible to our clients. We want them to feel that they can call on us at any time. For many of our clients our Riccarton offices are convenient, but a significant number of our clients and the other professionals that we work with, are now based in the CBD, so we trust that it will be helpful for them that we are once again back in the heart of the city.”

He thanked those involved in fitting out the premises including architect Malcolm Orr and Project Manager, Russell Hatcher. “We love the way the offices have come together.”

Further information: Lawyers rescued from earthquake-damaged tower’s top floor move back to town | Stuff.co.nz

Almost 6 years to the day since Parry Field Lawyers opened its office in the Selwyn District, the firm has officially moved into new larger premises at 80 Rolleston Drive.

Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton was on hand for the ribbon cutting and celebration. He praised Parry Field for having the foresight to base itself in a region which has just been confirmed as the fastest growing in the country and now has just under 80,000 people, with more new residents than anywhere else in New Zealand.

“I want to congratulate Parry Field Lawyers for what may have seemed like a courageous decision all those years ago to set up an office and being here to serve the community,” the Mayor said. “I wish you all the best in your roles but also as a business. You continue to have a name that’s respected in our community, so thanks very much and well done.”

Parry Field Lawyers Selwyn team including (l-r) Judith Bullin, Ruth Johnson, Tracy Stanners, Cora Granger, Whytney Parker and Paul Owens

Partnership Chair, Kris Morrison, says it’s exciting to see the team and services in Waikirikiri Selwyn grow as the region has. With several partners and other key staff based in the district, he says Parry Field already felt there was an established relationship and connection with the area, and it has seemed like a natural fit for the business.

The other important aspect of Parry Field’s decision on office locations is all about accessibility. “Often you hear that people feel lawyers are up in their ivory towers and there’s some sort of mystique about going to see a lawyer. That’s not really our ethos,” he told the guests at the opening.

“We’ve always wanted to be accessible to our clients, so being able to be closer to them is really important to us. From what we’ve seen people appreciate not having to drive into Christchurch for a lawyer visit.”

He said Parry Field is planning to continue its work to support local businesses with a series of complimentary free ‘check-ins’ for new start-ups in the district.

“We want to work with them to make sure they’ve got all the bases in place that they need.” There’ll be more details on the initiative in the New Year.

Further information: enquiry@parryfield.com or you can get in touch directly with one of our team in the new Selwyn office.

Parry Field Lawyers is pleased to have assisted tech start-up Komodo on their recent capital raising.

Komodo have successfully raised $1.8 million allowing them to provide much needed wellbeing support to students.

The start-up provides a platform for students to communicate with staff and provides schools with ways to identify and address issues such as mental health and bullying.

We are proud to have supported the company on this journey for several years now right from the beginning. Their company represents an ongoing shift towards companies and investors wanting to create an impact through their work.

The transaction was led by Senior Solicitor Aislinn Molloy and Partner Steven Moe with assistance from many in the Parry Field team as well.

There’s further information in this article: https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/30/new-zealand-based-student-wellbeing-platform-komodo-raises-1-8m-nzd/

Parry Field Lawyers were delighted to host more than 60 guests in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to celebrate the launch of our new office, a milestone that reflects continued growth and a commitment to being accessible to clients across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Parry Field Lawyers are pleased to announce the opening of our Auckland office, an exciting milestone reflecting the ongoing growth of the firm and our commitment to being accessible to our clients across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Christchurch CBD

Christchurch – Riccarton

Rolleston

Hokitika

Auckland