Wynyard Wood

08/10/2026

Quick quiz: where does your KiwiSaver go when you die? 💭

For a lot of New Zealanders, KiwiSaver is the second-biggest thing they own after the house. And plenty of people assume it's handled separately, off to one side somewhere.

It isn't. Your KiwiSaver balance forms part of your estate, which means your will decides where it goes. No will, and the law's fixed formula decides for you.

Worth knowing too: dipping into KiwiSaver early on hardship grounds costs a lot more than the withdrawal itself. Take out $8,000 today and you could be $40,000 to $50,000 down by retirement once lost returns, employer contributions and government contributions are counted. That's your family's inheritance, quietly shrinking.

Make sure your will accounts for everything you own, KiwiSaver included: https://wynyardwood.co.nz/service/wills/

24/09/2026

The best time to sort your will is the same time your partner sorts theirs. ✌️

One conversation, one appointment, and two documents that finally line up with each other — instead of two wills written years apart that quietly contradict.

While you're there, sort your enduring powers of attorney too. Here's the part most people don't know: your partner has no automatic legal right to make decisions or sign for you if you can't. A marriage certificate doesn't do it. An EPOA does.

Wills and EPOAs, both of you, one sitting. Then it's done.

Book in together — it's simpler than you'd think: https://wynyardwood.co.nz/service/wills/

16/09/2026

When did you last actually read your own will? 🤔

Life moves. Wills don't — unless you move them. It's time for a review if you've:

💍 Married, separated or divorced
👶 Had a child, or watched them grow into adults who could be executors themselves
🏠 Bought or sold significant property
✈️ Moved overseas, or bought assets there
💰 Had a real change in your financial position
🕯️ Lost someone named in your will as a beneficiary, executor or trustee

And even if none of those apply, a read-through every three years or so is a good habit.

A review is quick, and usually reassuring. Book one in: https://wynyardwood.co.nz/service/wills/

10/09/2026

Congratulations, you're married! 🎉 Your will has just stopped existing.

This one surprises almost everybody.

In New Zealand, getting married automatically revokes any will you made beforehand, unless it was specifically written in anticipation of that marriage. So the careful will you sorted five years ago? Gone.

Divorce works differently but catches people too. Once a marriage or civil union is legally dissolved, anything in your will referring to your ex is automatically cancelled. Separated but not divorced, though, and your spouse may still inherit.

Wedding season is nearly here. Add it to the list, somewhere after the cake. 💍

Just married, or about to be? Let's get your will sorted properly: https://wynyardwood.co.nz/service/wills/

20/08/2026

“How much does a will cost?” It's the first thing everybody asks. 💬

Fair question. Here's the honest answer.

Most wills are simple. If your family situation and the way you own things are straightforward, that's you — and simple wills are done on a set fee, so you know the cost before we start.

Some wills are more involved: blended families, a family trust, a business, assets overseas. Those we price on the situation, and we confirm the fee with you before any work begins. No surprises.

Either way, it costs a great deal less than untangling an estate that has no will at all.

Fill in our short questionnaire and we'll tell you where you sit and what it will cost: https://wynyardwood.co.nz/service/wills/

Having a will is very important. A well-written will provides protection for your children, spouse and assets after you are gone.

14/08/2026

Most people think a will is all about money. It's the other bits that matter most. 👇

A well-made will can set out:

✔️ Who inherits what — including specific items for specific people
✔️ Who your executor is, the person who carries out your wishes
✔️ Who becomes guardian of your children if you're not there
✔️ Any charity you'd like to support
✔️ Your funeral, burial or tangi wishes

That third one is the one parents rarely think about — and the one that matters most if the unexpected happens.

Without a will, none of it is your call. The law decides, using a fixed formula.

Protect your children, your partner and your assets. Start here: https://wynyardwood.co.nz/service/wills/

Wynyard Wood provides expert strategic advice with commercially-minded solutions, free from legal jargon.

06/08/2026

It's never the house. It's always the caravan. 🏖

Ask any estate lawyer. The serious money tends to get sorted out reasonably enough. What families actually fall out over is Nan's ring, the fishing rods, the bach linen cupboard and who gets Dad's ute. Sentimental things carry the feelings. And when nobody wrote down who they were meant for, everyone remembers a different conversation.

A will lets you name specific items for specific people. Ten minutes of writing. Possibly a decade of Christmases saved.

Say who gets what, in your own words — we'll help you put it properly:
https://wynyardwood.co.nz/service/wills/

Having a will is very important. A well-written will provides protection for your children, spouse and assets after you are gone.

21/07/2026

The Government has introduced what it describes as the most significant reforms to New Zealand’s building system in two decades, with the stated aim of making construction faster, more affordable, and more accountable while strengthening protections for homeowners. Although much of the discussion has focused on improving efficiency across the construction sector, the proposed reforms also have important implications for construction contracts, consumer rights, and how disputes may be resolved when building projects do not go to plan. For homeowners, developers and construction professionals alike, understanding these changes will become increasingly important if the legislation progresses.

More: https://www.wynyardwood.co.nz/construction-contracts-set-to-change-under-landmark-building-reforms/

29/06/2026

When Years of Uncertainty Come Before Public Works Act Acquisition

For many property owners, the greatest impact of a Public Works Act acquisition is not the day the property is purchased — it is the years leading up to it. That reality is playing out in Auckland’s Grey Lynn, where dozens of homeowners on Ivanhoe Road have learned their properties are likely to be acquired for the proposed Northwest Busway project. In total, around 240 properties are expected to be affected, with acquisitions taking place progressively as the project advances. While construction may still be years away, many residents are already facing difficult decisions about their homes, finances and future.

More: https://www.wynyardwood.co.nz/when-years-of-uncertainty-come-before-public-works-act-acquisition/

22/06/2026

Why Identity Fraud Is a Growing Boardroom Concern for New Zealand Businesses – And What to Do About It

More than half of New Zealand businesses experienced at least one identity fraud incident in the past year, according to recent research, with affected organisations reporting average losses of $2.2 million annually. Let’s take a look at the issues reported, how to protect your company, and what to do when impacted.

Learn More: https://www.wynyardwood.co.nz/identity-fraud-is-a-growing-boardroom-concern-for-new-zealand-businesses/