Buddle Findlay is pleased to have worked with the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust on the successful passing of the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Act 2026 into law. The Act, which received Royal Assent on 11 September 2026, allows the Trust to continue its valuable work providing community and affordable housing to communities outside of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
The Act began life as a piece of private legislation (a private bill). Private bills are rare in New Zealand, but are used to make a specific law change to benefit an individual or group. In this case, the Trust's deed previously prohibited the Trust from offering its services outside of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The required changes to the Trust's purpose (and other associated provisions in the Trust deed) could only be made through private legislation.
Buddle Findlay's team advising the Trust was led by public law partner Natasha Wilson, and was supported by senior associate Rebecca Dudley-Cobb, and senior solicitor Hugo Schwarz. Expert advice on trust law was provided by partner Julia Vallance and special counsel Anna Wishart. Our role included advising the Trust on its options to progress the change to its Trust deed, producing the first draft of the Bill, working with the Parliamentary Counsel Office to develop a version of the Bill to be introduced to the House, and providing support to the Trust and other stakeholders as the Bill progressed through the House.
We are delighted to see the Bill passed into law, and for the Trust to be able to undertake its important work in the social housing space in a wider range of communities. You can read more about the Trust's work here.