Reinventing rural legal support Founded as a boutique legal practice specialising in the needs of agricultural clients, Tavendale and Partners has evolved as a leading New Zealand law irm with an unrivalled understanding of the rural sector. Over the past two decades, the business has grown to a team of seventy. While Tavendale and Partners’ physical presence has been established in Canterbury, through a reputation for astute legal acumen, along with client referrals, the irm’s clients now span the depth and breadth of New Zealand. Chief Executive Gemma Wragg says many of the Tavendale and Partners’ teammembers have come from farming backgrounds, and are committed to supporting New Zealand’s primary industries. “Our understanding of the rural sector means we recognise the pressure placed on farmers in the current age of compliance. With every legislative change or new regulation comes a hoard of challenges for the sector. That often increases stress, resulting in reduced enjoyment of the work that has been the farmers’ passion over a lifetime. As trusted advisors, we feel a responsibility to help our clients navigate this increased regulatory environment, and that has meant broadening our expertise and evolving our practice.” Gemma says the days of the generalist agri-lawyer, whose job was primarily to buy and sell land, are gone. Along with an extensive understanding of the relevant regulatory framework and risks faced by the rural sector, Tavendale and Partners strives to identify opportunities, think outside traditional structures, and provide creative solutions for its clients. “To enable us to do this e ectively, we’ve grown our legal expertise in relation to property, resource management, forestry, employment, governance, trust management, asset protection and relationship property,” explains Gemma. “Where we don’t have the necessary expertise, we project manage and partner with other specialists. Collaborating with rural bankers, accountants, nutrient management specialists, farm advisors, water consultants, and health and safety consultants provides the best outcomes for our clients. By adopting a cross-sector approach, we’re able to ensure our clients remain compliant, and that their businesses continue to move forward in the direction they wish to take them.” Strong leadership is also a crucial ingredient for resilience and growth within the rural sector. Now, more than ever, the agricultural industry in New Zealand needs world class leaders; people who will advocate for the rural sector and those that live and work within it. Complementing its legal support of the rural communities, Tavendale and Partners have proudly partnered with Rural Leaders, whose prestigious programmes include Nu ield New Zealand Farming Scholarship, the Kellog Rural Leaders Programme and, more recently Value Chain Innovation. These programmes focus on teaching e ective leadership and equipping participants with the skills needed to a ect change within their rural communities and the wider agribusiness industry. “We hope that graduates of the Rural Leaders programmes will understand the industry’s challenges, and, like us, take a creative and collaborative approach to inding solutions.” Tavendale and Partners was born from a desire to support New Zealand’s rural sector, and will continue to do that well into the future, adapting to New Zealand’s ever changing regulatory landscape and supporting key organisations like Rural Leaders. Tavendale and Partners is a leading New Zealand law firm with an unrivalled understanding of the country’s most important primary industries. We are proud to support Rural Leaders.
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