- By Chris Dykes and Alistair van Schalkwyk, directors of ASCO Legal in Howick
The start of the year is when many Kiwi business owners set new goals – growth, hiring, new partnerships, or a fresh investment.
But before you charge ahead, it pays to make sure your business structure is backed by the right agreements.
Good agreements don’t just tick legal boxes. They clarify expectations, reduce risk, and help keep relationships intact when pressure hits.
If you operate through a company with more than one owner, a shareholders’ agreement is one of the most important documents you can put in place.
It sets out how decisions are made, what happens if someone wants to sell their shares, how funding is handled, and how disputes are managed.
Without it, you’re often relying on goodwill and assumptions, and those can disappear quickly if the business hits a rough patch.
For businesses with key suppliers or customers, well-drafted terms of trade and service agreements are equally critical.
They define payment terms, timeframes, liability limits, variations, and what happens if things go wrong.
Too often we see businesses chasing payment or dealing with a dispute only to realise the contract doesn’t support them the way they thought it would.
If 2026 is your year for growth, start by making sure your foundations are strong.
Contact ASCO Legal to review your structure and put the right agreements in place – before you need them.
“ASCO Legal was great to work with. They supported me through the sale of my business shares and several other legal matters, handling communication and liaising with the other parties involved to take the stress out of the process.
“Their updates were timely, their advice practical, and they were consistently professional and approachable. Highly recommend.”
With over 250 five-star reviews, we’re proud to be serving our clients well and grateful for the trust placed in our team year after year.
- ASCO Legal – A fresh perspective on law, at www.ascolegal.co.nz, phone 09 308 8070.
