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Corban Revell is committed to operating safely within the Covid-19 Protection Framework (Traffic Lights). We have adapted how we work and in this Framework we will continue to offer meetings both in person and by audio-visual means.  

As a cornerstone of the West Auckland community Corban Revell offers a broad range of legal services to businesses, organisations and private clients throughout New Zealand.

Technical excellence in the law and offering exceptional client service are core to all work we undertake.  Our people are committed to advancing their legal expertise and knowledge to ensure clients enjoy the advantage of legal professionals who are leaders in their field.

The talents of our people are a source of pride and we know that people are key to our success.  This includes our clients, our staff, our suppliers and our wider business and legal community.

If you would like to work with a team that prizes technical excellence, dedication and hard work please contact us, we look forward to meeting you.

John Kahukiwa, Managing Partner
John Kahukiwa, Managing Partner
Lisa Roberts, Senior Partner
Lisa Roberts, Senior Partner
Frank Chan, Senior Associate
Frank Chan, Senior Associate

Our legal expertise includes: Banking and Finance, Civil and Criminal Litigation, Employment, Environmental Law,Family, Māori Business and Governance, Property, Relationship Property, Resource Management  Treaty of Waitangi Claims Trusts and Legal Entities,Wills Estates and Asset Protection.

News and Events

Christmas and New Year Hours 2021/22 - Office hours for Christmas 2021 and the New Year 2022.
Covid 19 Update - We remain open for business during Alert Level 4, however our physical offices are closed.   All our staff are contactable by email or phone. Our reception phone will be answered as usual Monday to Friday 8.15am to 5.15pm.   All staff direct dial numbers and email addresses can be found on our website.   … Continue reading Covid 19 Update
Brian Phillip Najib Corban - I well remember the first time I heard Brian speak publicly. It was in the late 1990’s. Someone from our firm was leaving, presumably for better pastures. Brian happened to be at our second office on Lincoln Road as the firm gathered for the farewell. He lingered. After some initial routine speeches, Brian stepped forward… Continue reading Brian Phillip Najib Corban
Our business at Level 3 - Keeping business unstoppable at Alert Level 3.
Covid-Safe at Alert Level 3 - We are committed to being Covid-Safe at Level 3, and our staff will still be working remotely where possible. At Level 3, MBIE requires that client meetings still need to be by telephone or AV/video call (the list of exceptions to this rule is very small and unlikely to apply to us). The good news… Continue reading Covid-Safe at Alert Level 3
Uniting Against Covid-19 - There are many ways New Zealanders can make a difference in the fight against Covid-19.  From staying home and maintaining social distancing to working in our supermarkets or essential medical and social services. Amongst the Corban Revell whānau we even have people using their 3D printers to create protective face shields. One of the whānau… Continue reading Uniting Against Covid-19
Level 4 Alert – Update - With the updated guidance today we can advise as follows: Corban Revell Lawyers will be working remotely until Level 4 is downgraded to Level 3 or lower. We know a lot of you are in the same position. You can still ring our main line, direct lines and mobiles if you need assistance (when the… Continue reading Level 4 Alert – Update
Covid-19 Update – Level 3 - With the increased alert by the government to level 3 from 24 March, we have implemented our remote work plan. All our staff are able to work remotely and many will start to do so from tomorrow. Direct lines will be diverted to cellphones from 24 March. You will still reach us by phone, email… Continue reading Covid-19 Update – Level 3
Covid-19 Update - An update to Corban Revell’s response to Covid-19 Corban Revell will be making daily decisions as to whether to open the office during Monday to Friday, or for our staff to work from home,  from 23 March 2020 based on the alert system announced by the government this weekend. As a guide, while the alert… Continue reading Covid-19 Update
Congratulations, Judge Goodwin - Former Managing Partner of Corban Revell, Alan Goodwin has been appointed a District Court judge. We congratulate Alan on his appointment.  Alan was a key member of the Corban Revell legal team from 1995 to 2011.  He joined the firm’s family team in 1995 and soon became partner, leading the firm’s successful family team and… Continue reading Congratulations, Judge Goodwin

Legal Insights

2021 Resident Visa- Fast -Tracked Residency. - On 30 September 2021, the Government announced a new one-off residence visa pathway for some temporary work visa holders currently in New Zealand.  Eligibility Applicants must have met the criteria on 29 September 2021. To be eligible the Applicants must: have been in New Zealand on 29 September 2021, and be on an eligible visa… Continue reading 2021 Resident Visa- Fast -Tracked Residency.
Covid 19: Can employers require their employees to be vaccinated? - Recently, two major employers in New Zealand have stated that they plan to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory at their workplace. In the absence of a Health Order making vaccinations mandatory to all New Zealanders, this position of the employers has led to considerable debate in the business community. The Employment Relations Authority in their recent… Continue reading Covid 19: Can employers require their employees to be vaccinated?
Brian Phillip Najib Corban - I well remember the first time I heard Brian speak publicly. It was in the late 1990’s. Someone from our firm was leaving, presumably for better pastures. Brian happened to be at our second office on Lincoln Road as the firm gathered for the farewell. He lingered. After some initial routine speeches, Brian stepped forward… Continue reading Brian Phillip Najib Corban
A new Immigration Bill: What’s in it for work and student visa holders? - On 5 May 2020, the Minister of Immigration presented an urgent Immigration Bill to Parliament to ensure that the Government can respond appropriately and efficiently to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing additional flexibility in the immigration system. The Immigration (Covid-19) Response Amendment Bill will enable the government to amend visa conditions for groups of people,… Continue reading A new Immigration Bill: What’s in it for work and student visa holders?
Key Changes to Trust Law - The new Trusts Act 2019 will come into force on 30 January 2021. This is the first major reform to trust law in New Zealand which provides greater transparency of trustee activities and increased trust compliance requirements. If you are a settlor or a trustee of a trust (or family trust), it is important to review… Continue reading Key Changes to Trust Law
Immediate changes to executing a Will during Alert Levels 3 and 4 - Immediate changes: Executing a Will during Alert Levels 3 and 4 With many New Zealanders isolating alone or in a bubble that comprises their immediate family, spouse or other relatives, they may not be able to arrange for two other adults to be physically present to witness. The Wills Act provides that any person who witnesses… Continue reading Immediate changes to executing a Will during Alert Levels 3 and 4
Post lockdown and Migrant workers - Post lockdown: Impact on migrant workers Most employers and migrant workers are aware that all Immigration New Zealand (INZ) offices, onshore and offshore offices included, are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the current lockdowns happening around the world. Some INZ staff are working out of the INZ head office in Wellington and… Continue reading Post lockdown and Migrant workers
Covid-19 and Insolvency - Given the Covid-19 lockdown it is, unfortunately likely several businesses will be considering insolvency.  Insolvency has a number of legal implications. As a result, the Government is considering making changes to insolvency and company law. These include: A ‘Safe Harbour’ for Directors from some of their duties Placing business debts in Hibernation until the start… Continue reading Covid-19 and Insolvency
Commercial Rent Break? - Can we take a break from paying our commercial rent during Covid-19 lockdown? The impact of COVID-19 and the unprecedented lockdown have created a lot of uncertainty in business. Non-essential businesses find themselves scrambling to find ways to make ends meet. Many tenants, in particular, are finding they are unable to pay their lease rental… Continue reading Commercial Rent Break?
Recruiting Migrant Workers from the Philippines - Migrant workers from the Philippines are becoming an important source of labour to a number of New Zealand employers. When you recruit from the Philippines you must follow the legal requirements of the New Zealand and Philippine governments. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is responsible for deciding the visa applications of the migrants while the Philippines Overseas Employment… Continue reading Recruiting Migrant Workers from the Philippines