MinterEllisonRuddWatts

MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Welcome to the MinterEllisonRuddWatts' podcast library. Here you will hear from some of New Zealand’s leading lawyers on the latest trends, topics and issues impacting New Zealand businesses today. 

  1. قبل ٦ أيام

    Tech Suite | Bitcoin to bricks: Cryptocurrency property transactions in New Zealand

    Send us your feedback In this episode, Financial Services Partner Jeremy Muir and Property Senior Associate Victoria Tatam consider how cryptocurrency can be used in New Zealand real property transactions, discussing the legal, practical and conveyancing issues that can arise when real estate meets blockchain technology. [00:49] Jeremy and Victoria discuss the growing interest in cryptocurrency property transactions in New Zealand, explaining how digital currencies such as Bitcoin, although novel, could be used as a settlement payment where both parties agree and with the right legal structure in place. [02:32] Jeremy talks through the origins of Bitcoin, outlining some foundational concepts behind cryptocurrency, including the double spending problem, blockchain technology, decentralised ledgers, and different types of cryptocurrencies including stablecoins. [06:43] He explains the mechanics of holding cryptocurrency, explaining the difference between hot wallets, cold wallets and paper wallets, and how private and public keys function in authorising and receiving cryptocurrency transactions. [09:11] Victoria then talks through some of the key legal considerations when purchasing real property with cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, including volatility risk, potential tax implications, and the need to vary standard settlement documents and processes, emphasising the importance of obtaining specialist advice at an early stage. [11:07] Victoria and Jeremy discuss the key practical considerations involved, explaining why simpler transactions, particularly those without bank lending or significant vendor outgoings, are likely to be the most viable starting point for settling a real property transaction using cryptocurrency. [15:18] They lastly consider how settlement mechanics might work in practice for this type of transaction, including the potential benefits of reverting to in person settlements for added certainty and the role of blockchain verification or third party platforms.   Information in this episode is accurate as at the date of recording, 17 March 2026.   Please contact Jeremy Muir, Victoria Tatam or our Financial Services or Property teams if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics discussed in the episode.  And don’t forget to rate, review or follow MinterEllisonRuddWatts wherever you get your podcasts. You can also email us directly at techsuite@minterellison.co.nz and sign up to receive technology updates via your inbox here. For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

    ١٩ د
  2. ١٦ أبريل

    Election 2026 | Social media, employment consequences of political activity, and public service neutrality

    Send us your feedback In this episode of the Election 2026 podcast series, Senior Associate Mark Calderwood is joined by Partner Megan Evans and Special Counsel Daniel Fielding to unpack how political expression on social media is regulated in an election year, and the legal risks that can arise in both the public and private sectors. [01:04] Mark sets the scene for a likely surge in political content online as the election approaches, and why employees and employers alike should be thinking carefully about what is appropriate to post and share. [01:47] Daniel outlines the role of the Human Rights Act and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act (BORA), including how political opinion is protected and the limits of those protections in practice. Daniel continues by explaining how BORA allows for reasonable limits on rights where those limits are lawful, justified and proportionate, a tension that often arises in the employment context. [04:46] Megan outlines how the Employment Relations Act protects employees from discrimination based on political opinion, and the exceptions that apply where employment is itself political in nature. [06:13] The discussion turns to why political neutrality is a foundational principle of New Zealand’s Westminster–style system and how it enables continuity across governments. Public servants retain political rights in their private lives, but must also maintain the trust and confidence of current and future governments, a balance that requires judgment and care. [08:24] Megan highlights key areas where neutrality is especially important, including advertising, engagement with MPs, organisational social media use, and conduct during the election period. While political activity outside work is generally permitted, public servants must avoid representing their agency, misusing confidential information, or creating misleading impressions. [12:09] The panel discusses a Public Service Commission review into an election period advertorial, illustrating the heightened scrutiny applied during the lead up to polling day. [14:34] Daniel explains how political neutrality conventions continue to apply year round, but with greater sensitivity and scrutiny in the pre-election period. Key dos and don’ts are canvassed, including restrictions on campaigning at work, wearing political material in the workplace, and engaging with parties during work hours. [15:20] Daniel notes that while public servants face stricter neutrality obligations, private sector employees may still face consequences if political posts affect trust, reputation or compliance with employer policies. Daniel explains when public servants may be required to take leave if they intend to stand as candidates, including important nomination day timelines. [17:10] Megan discusses how social media has narrowed the distinction between personal conduct and professional obligations, and why “private” posts may not stay private. [23:07] They discuss high profile examples where senior role holders faced consequences for political commentary shared online, even when framed as private views. A recent Employment Court decision is discussed, reinforcing that off–duty social media activity may still justify disciplinary action where it undermines an employer’s interests.   Information in this podcast is correct as at the date of recording, 18 February 2026   Please contact Mark Calderwood For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

    ٢٥ د
  3. Tech Suite | Know when to let go: Data retention in the age of big data

    ٢٩ مارس

    Tech Suite | Know when to let go: Data retention in the age of big data

    Send us your feedback In this episode, privacy law specialists Richard Wells and Suzy McMillan consider the legal framework governing data retention and destruction and how organisations can strike the right balance between regulatory compliance and commercial practicality in the age of big data. [00:37] Richard and Suzy talk about the growing challenges organisations face in a data driven era, where the temptation to store information indefinitely can lead to significant privacy, security, and compliance risks. [02:07] Richard and Suzy outline the regulatory framework that governs data retention, focusing on Information Privacy Principle (IPP) 9 of the Privacy Act 2020, which acts to restrict organisations from holding personal information longer than is required for its lawful use, and how this interacts with statutory minimum retention periods found in employment, tax, health and companies’ legislation. [05:10] They consider how to determine when data should be deleted once those statutory minimums expire, focusing on IPPs 1, 5, 9 and 10 and what constitutes a “lawful use” for continued retention, emphasising the positive obligation on agencies to justify continued retention.  [08:10] Suzy sets out some practical steps organisations can take to meet their compliance obligations, including establishing effective data retention policies and schedules that categorise data types, identify the legal basis for data retention, specify destruction methods and responsibility and prioritise high risk data such as personal, financial, and sensitive information. [10:31] Richard highlights the importance of privacy by design in this context: embedding retention rules into new systems from the outset. [14:25] They discuss recent incidents where organisations holding excessive legacy data found their exposure significantly amplified when a breach occurred, before closing with a practical reminder that the goal is balance - retaining information long enough to meet legal and business obligations, but not so long as to create unnecessary or disproportionate risk.   Information in this episode is accurate as at the date of recording, 5 March 2026.   Please contact Richard Wells, Suzy McMillan or our Privacy team if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics discussed in the episode.  And don’t forget to rate, review or follow MinterEllisonRuddWatts wherever you get your podcasts. You can also email us directly at techsuite@minterellison.co.nz and sign up to receive technology updates via your inbox here.     Additional resources  Privacy Act 2020 For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

    ١٧ د
  4. ١٧ مارس

    Tech Suite | Modernising payments in New Zealand: A global perspective

    Send us your feedback In this episode, Banking Senior Associate Emma Geard, speaks with Philip Bruno, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at ACI Worldwide, about payments modernisation – what it is, why it matters for New Zealand right now, and the global lessons that can help guide successful implementation. [01:14] Emma and Philip discuss ACI Worldwide's global role in payments modernisation, including its work providing payments infrastructure software and services to banks and central banks across more than 90 countries. [02:04] They consider why payments modernisation is becoming increasingly important for New Zealand. Philip notes that although New Zealand has a strong and highly digital economy, its payments system has not fully kept pace, particularly in relation to instant payments. Emma and Philip discuss how modernisation would help ensure the payments ecosystem supports that digital strength, boosting economic growth, enabling faster everyday transactions, and positioning New Zealand to take advantage of future innovation. [03:11] Emma and Philip explore the broader scope of payments modernisation beyond simply increasing speed. Philip explains that modern payment systems include not only instant, irrevocable fund transfers but also richer messaging and information layers that automate business processes delivering efficiency gains. He adds that modern infrastructure also paves the way for new consumer and commerce innovations, including fast peer to peer payments and seamless one click purchasing. [05:45] Philip and Emma examine global adoption trends, highlighting Denmark as a standout success story whose approach to payment modernisation offers valuable lessons for other countries. [07:48] Emma asks Phil about the most important  decisions that could aid New Zealand’s modernisation program. Phil outlines three key lessons from overseas: build with modern, modular infrastructure; prioritise the consumer and business applications that will drive adoption and real usage; and ensure incentives are aligned across the value chain so all participants have a sustainable business case to invest. [10:01] Lastly, they talk about the importance of designing fraud architecture into the system from the outset rather than retrofitting it later, which has proved a challenge in other jurisdictions. Information in this episode is accurate as at the date of recording, 9 March 2026. Please contact Emma Geard or our Banking team if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

    ١٣ د
  5. Tech Suite | Fast track or false start? Navigating Heads of Agreement and Letters of Intent

    ١ مارس

    Tech Suite | Fast track or false start? Navigating Heads of Agreement and Letters of Intent

    Send us your feedback In this episode, Partner Richard Wells and Senior Associate Sarah Redding from our Corporate and Commercial team discuss Heads of Agreement (HOA) and Letters of Intent (LOI), examining why parties turn to them, what can go wrong, and steps to take to ensure these preliminary documents work for you, rather than against you. [01:09] Richard and Sarah explain how HOAs and LOIs function as preliminary documents, typically used in situations where there is commercial urgency to quickly define the parameters of a transaction, setting out the key commercial terms of a deal before the parties negotiate a full long form agreement. [03:06] Sarah considers the commercial appeal of these types of documents - how their speed, flexibility, and ability to signal commitment can rapidly build deal momentum, but notes that this can come at a cost. She then highlights the major risk: the “gap problem,” where such high level drafting leaves out essential terms, creating uncertainty and exposing parties to unforeseen issues further down the track. [04:19] Richard talks about the confusion that can arise around which parts of an HOA or LOI are legally binding and how this is legally determined. [05:28] They discuss how signing an HOA or LOI can often slow momentum toward a full formal agreement, as early performance can create a “deal feels done” mindset. This can result in these preliminary documents governing the parties’ relationship for much longer than originally intended and a risk that they are locked into arrangements that were never intended to be the final word. [07:43] Sarah outlines practical steps parties can take to protect themselves when entering into such documents, including evaluating whether an HOA or LOI is actually necessary in the first instance, being explicit about binding terms, using sunset clauses, and involving lawyers early. Information in this episode is accurate as at the date of recording, 24 February 2026. Please contact Richard Wells or our Corporate and Commercial team if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics discussed in the episode.  And don’t forget to rate, review or follow MinterEllisonRuddWatts wherever you get your podcasts. You can also email us directly at techsuite@minterellison.co.nz and sign up to receive technology updates via your inbox here.   For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

    ١٤ د
  6. Tech Suite | What insurers want to know about their customers' use of AI

    ١٥ فبراير

    Tech Suite | What insurers want to know about their customers' use of AI

    Send us your feedback In this episode, Technology Partner Tom Maasland and Litigation Partner Andrew Horne examine AI through an insurance risk lens, discussing what insurers are most concerned about, how those concerns are evolving, and what professional firms and businesses need to do to stay insurable as AI use becomes mainstream. [01:07] Tom and Andy reflect on how recent insurer conversations have shifted from traditional cyber security concerns to AI taking centre stage, with insurers increasingly focused on how AI related risks translate into real world liabilities and claims exposure. [02:51] Andy talks through insurers’ concerns that professionals may place reliance on AI generated work without adequate human oversight, highlighting cases where hallucinated outputs have resulted in court sanctions, regulatory referrals, reputational harm, and financial loss. [06:35] They then examine other examples of AI failures beyond the legal profession, noting some high profile examples from consulting, health, and retail where poorly supervised AI tools or use of AI has caused harm, embarrassment, or safety risks, reinforcing insurers’ fears about unintended consequences when AI systems lack adequate guardrails. [09:44] Tom and Andy consider what happens when confidential and privileged information is entered into generative AI systems from an insurance risk perspective, prompting discussion on data training, contractual protections, enterprise grade closed circuit AI tools, and the growing risk of IP infringement or third-party confidentiality breaches. [12:17] Andy discusses insurers’ expectations for clear AI guidelines and policies, staff training and human oversight, noting that despite increasing AI adoption, many New Zealand businesses are still well behind on risk frameworks and compliance as reported in Datacom’s 2025 State of AI Index Research Report. [13:55] Lastly, they consider how AI insurers might assess AI risk in the future, highlighting that they are likely to follow the cyber insurance model, asking increasingly detailed questions about AI purpose, governance, security, provenance, and regulatory awareness, with potential impacts on premiums, exclusions, and coverage availability.   Information in this episode is accurate as at the date of recording, 30 January 2026.   Please contact Andrew Horne, Tom Maasland or our Litigation team if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics discussed in the episode.  And don’t forget to rate, review or follow MinterEllisonRuddWatts wherever you get your podcasts. You can also email us directly at techsuite@minterellison.co.nz and sign up to receive technology updates via your inbox here.    Additional resources Datacom's 2025 State of AI Index Research Report  MinterEllisonRuddWatts publication: AI risks: What do insurers wa For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

    ١٧ د
  7. Tech Suite | Legal privilege meets artificial intelligence

    ٢ فبراير

    Tech Suite | Legal privilege meets artificial intelligence

    Send us your feedback In this episode, Technology Partner Tom Maasland is joined by Senior Associate Oliver Sutton from our Litigation team to examine how the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is affecting the application of legal privilege. [01:20] Oliver outlines the three most common forms of legal privilege encountered in practice: solicitor client privilege, litigation privilege, and privilege for settlement negotiations, explaining the fundamental interplay with confidentiality. [02:58] Oliver discusses both intentional and inadvertent waiver of legal privilege, including disclosures made during litigation, information sharing with third parties, and accidental disclosures through emails or document handling errors. [04:49] Tom and Oliver then consider whether inputting privileged material into AI models can amount to a waiver of legal privilege. Oliver notes that while the issue is ultimately fact-dependent, there are key differences between inputs into public AI tools versus enterprise grade AI platforms that are likely to be relevant in this setting. [06:16] They discuss recent examples illustrating how AI usage can expose confidential information, including instances where public AI chat data became searchable online, highlighting the real and practical risks for legal teams [07:40] Oliver considers whether AI prompts and responses could be discoverable under the High Court Rules. [11:00] Lastly, they discuss various practical considerations for businesses in the adoption and use of AI tools in a legal context, highlighting the importance of enterprise grade AI, carefully reviewing terms and conditions, taking a privacy by design approach, and implementing strong AI governance.    Information in this episode is accurate as at, 19 January 2026.   Please contact Tom Maasland, Oliver Sutton or our Litigation team if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics discussed in the episode.  And don’t forget to rate, review or follow MinterEllisonRuddWatts wherever you get your podcasts. You can also email us directly at techsuite@minterellison.co.nz and sign up to receive technology updates via your inbox here.   Additionaly resources Our approach to generative AI  For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

    ١٤ د

حول

Welcome to the MinterEllisonRuddWatts' podcast library. Here you will hear from some of New Zealand’s leading lawyers on the latest trends, topics and issues impacting New Zealand businesses today. 

قد يعجبك أيضًا