AWS Legal

It’s fantastic to see the talented artists of the Queenstown Art Society showcased in the beautiful Puāwai space at Te Atamira. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this project to life.

Our Queenstown team was pleased to support the installation of the artwork, helping create a space where creativity, community, and culture can be enjoyed by all.

Well done to Te Atamira and the Queenstown Art Society on this wonderful collaboration.

Exciting news... 👀 The big wall in Puāwai - our largest multipurpose space here at Te Atamira - is now adorned with art thanks to our local artists of Queenstown Art Society.

This wall now holds an extension of the QAS's Laneway Showcase - a frequently rotating display of artwork for sale from their members. These stunning works which are the first to grace the walls of Puāwai are by two local artists, Raquel Carter and Olivia Wensley.

It was great to watch the install of these works this week, and we are excited for all the people who use and enjoy this space to be surrounded by gorgeous work as they pursue their own creative pursuits. Thanks to AWS Legal for their support in installation of QAS artworks.

The big wall at Puāwai Te Atamira is now adorned with the beautiful art of local artists Olivia Wensley and Raquel Carter, this wall is an extension of our current Laneway Showcase.

Make sure you show your support to local artists and pop in to have a look! Also big thanks to for their support in sponsoring the installation.

What can you do if someone posts something false or damaging about you online?

In today’s digital world, a single online post can have serious personal and professional consequences. Under New Zealand law, defamation occurs when false statements are published about someone in a way that harms their reputation.

Online defamation can be especially difficult because content can spread quickly, remain online indefinitely, and be viewed by a wide audience.

If you believe you’ve been defamed online, it’s important to:
- Preserve evidence such as screenshots and URLs
- Avoid escalating the situation publicly
- Seek legal advice early

Depending on the circumstances, remedies may include removal requests, apologies or corrections, court orders, or damages for reputational harm.

At AWS Legal, our team can help assess your situation and guide you through the appropriate next steps.

If you need advice regarding online defamation or reputation concerns, get in touch with our team today.

Legal matters can feel complex, but getting advice shouldn’t be.

At AWS Legal, we focus on providing clear, practical guidance that helps individuals, families, farmers, and businesses make informed decisions with confidence. From property and rural matters to business, employment, trusts, estates, and dispute resolution, our team is here to help navigate the important moments, both big and small.

With offices across Southland and Central Otago, we combine strong regional knowledge with the expertise of one of the South’s largest legal teams.

Whatever stage you’re at, the AWS Legal team is here when you need us.

A big thank you to Bayleys Winton for putting together such a great First Home Buyers and Investors Evening.

As a local law firm, we really enjoy opportunities like this to connect with our community and help people feel more confident about taking their next step into the property market. Whether you're buying your first home or looking at your first investment property, it can be hard to know where to start, so it was great to share some practical information and answer questions along the way.

A huge thanks as well to the team at YMT for sharing their financial knowledge and helping attendees better understand the finance side of the process. It was fantastic to be part of an evening where local professionals could come together to provide guidance and support for people beginning their property journey.

We hope everyone who attended left with a few more tools in their toolkit and a clearer idea of what comes next. We wish you all the very best with your house-hunting and investment goals, and we're always happy to help when the time comes

Thank you for the kind words. Updating your Will is one of those important tasks that can often feel overwhelming, so we’re proud to help make the process straightforward and stress free for our clients.

AWS Legal Invercargill Bake Off for Starship Foundation

Yesterday, our AWS Legal team in Invercargill came together for a fantastic Bake Off in support of the Starship Foundation Big Bake Off - and what a success it was!

With an impressive lineup of homemade treats (and some wonderful contributions from talented family members), the bidding kicked off strong and continued to build momentum throughout the morning.

Thanks to enthusiastic participation across the team, we are proud to have raised a total of $698.50 for this incredible cause so far.

The funds raised will help support Starship Foundation in providing vital care and treatment to children across New Zealand - especially important during the winter months.

A special congratulations to our category winners:

Highest Auction Price: Cam & Megan - Rocky Road bites
People’s Choice: Greer (Damien’s Daughter) - Rice Bubble squares
Best Decorated: Katy - Choc Caramel Sparkle Slice

A big thank you to everyone who baked, bid, and contributed - your generosity and team spirit made this event truly special.

After an incredible 16.5 years with AWS Legal, Helen has stepped down from her role as one of our amazing Rural PA’s.
Her dedication, expertise, friendship, and beautiful smile have been such a valued part of our team, and she will truly be missed around the office. Helen started in September 2009 and is so close to 17 years of loyal service.

She has been instrumental in organising the Rural team lotto comp, forever the optimist of a potential win.
Despite the health challenges she’s faced in the last couple years, she’s always turned up to work looking immaculate – lipstick, colourful clothing & all! She has left big shoes to fill - helping Aaron stay organised and on the straight and narrow.

Helen, we wish you all the very best as you take this time for yourself, for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Be it reading good books, with an even better cup of tea, or walking the dog – enjoy some you-time to recover from treatment and focus on your wellbeing.

We look forward to the day(s) we catch up again. This isn’t goodbye - it’s simply - see you later.

Thank you for your strength and everything you’ve contributed to our AWS Legal team - you’ve made a lasting impact on us all.

Mooving Day(s) 2026

Wow… what an incredible team effort

From the months of planning and preparation, to the sorting, organising, and fantastic client engagement - every single part came together seamlessly.
It truly felt like everything ran like clockwork, and that’s a reflection of the dedication and teamwork that was brought to the table.

And let’s not forget the fuel behind the success… the delicious treats flowing in from our amazing team, the generous support from local businesses, and of course the much-anticipated annual company lunch - we were well looked after and kept energised the whole way through.

A huge well done to our team - you should all be incredibly proud.
A special pat on the back for achieving a record-breaking year with over 100 settlements… what an outstanding milestone.

Thank you all for your hard work, positive energy, and team spirit.

If you’re buying property you’ve probably heard the term “LIM report”, but many people aren’t entirely sure what it includes.

A LIM (Land Information Memorandum) is provided by the local council and can contain important information about a property, including building consents, drainage, zoning, known hazards, and other council records. For buyers, it can be an important part of understanding the wider picture before going unconditional on a property purchase.

At AWS Legal, our Property team regularly helps clients navigate the home buying process and understand the documents involved along the way.

Thinking about buying property? Get in touch with our team today.