Tax Conference 2025

Elevate your tax expertise at this year’s CLE Tax Conference, a one-day event designed to expand your knowledge of the latest developments and pressing challenges facing tax professionals today. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from influential leaders in the field. Whether you are embarking on your career in tax, a seasoned tax professional, or looking to bolster your everyday work with key tax knowledge, this conference is your gateway to valuable insights. Secure your spot now!

From the chair

Tēnā koutou katoa,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 CLE Tax Conference.

This year’s programme comes at a pivotal moment for the New Zealand tax landscape. With fiscal pressures mounting and reform debates re-emerging, we open the conference with the Revenue Minister’s latest insights on the evolving revenue portfolio. That conversation flows naturally into our next sessions; a discussion on the new Investment Boost and a dynamic debate on whether a capital gains tax, or even tariffs, might be necessary to address future fiscal risks. This promises to challenge our assumptions and provoke thoughtful reflection on New Zealand’s policy trajectory.

Tax advisors continue to grapple with complexity, and our sessions this year reflect that. From the charitable sector’s shifting tax obligations, to the practical implications of the recent PepsiCo case, to discrimination issues in taxing foreigners, we delve into pressing legal and policy concerns. Several sessions bring a fresh lens to longstanding rules, such as financial arrangements and the foreign investment fund regime, while others examine fast-evolving areas such as start-ups and software as a service (SaaS).

We also return to key commercial structures like limited partnerships, with a critical look at their tax implications for both domestic and offshore investors.

And true to the conference’s practical spirit, our experts will provide insights into what these rules mean for your clients, from structuring cross-border investment to advising charities and high-growth businesses.

I am very grateful to our diverse and highly respected group of speakers, leading practitioners, policy advisers, and academics who will bring clarity, rigour and real-world perspective to each session.

Whether you are attending in person or joining us online, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to question, discuss and connect. Tax law does not stand still, and this conference is your chance to stay one step ahead.

Conference chair

  Helen Johnson, PwC Legal, Auckland

Programme outline

Download PDF brochure for a full outline of each session

• Opening Address – the evolving revenue portfolio Presenter: Hon Simon Watts
• Keynotes – Does New Zealand Need a Capital Gains Tax (or tariffs!) to Avoid a Looming Fiscal Crisis? Presenters: Joanne Hodge and Geof Nightingale 
• A Taxing Time for Charities and Not-For-Profits Presenters: Sue Barker and Rob Grignon 
• Sponsor – Tax Management New Zealand (TMNZ) Presenter: Kathleen Payne
• Financial Arrangement Rules – emerging challenges and solutions Presenters: Harry Cundy and Fiona Heiford
• What Are You Paying For? PepsiCo, the characterisation of payments, and why it matters Presenter: Vivian Cheng
• Sponsor – Tax Traders Presenter: James Stuart
• Keynote – Taxing Foreigners Discriminatorily Presenter: Professor Craig Elliffe
• Start-Up Survival Kit – navigating tax issues for a fast-growing business Presenters: Becca Gaunt and Jason Yang
• Foreign Investment Funds (FIF) Unpacked – tackling today's issues, and tomorrow's rules for migrants and returning kiwis Presenters: Simon Akozu and Bridget Riley
• Keynote – Limited Partnerships – desired commercial entity with some tax uncertainties
• Followed by drinks and canapés sponsored by:  

Learning objectives

In this conference you will be:

• Updated on topical issues, legislation and case law.
• Able to apply this knowledge in your practice.

Who should attend

Lawyers and other tax professionals in the banking/finance, company/commercial, civil litigation and tax sectors.

Timing

• 8.30am – 5.00pm
• 5.00pm – 7.00pm – Drinks and canapés sponsored by:  

Book

A background book written by the presenters is available in hard copy, PDF, or both. Please indicate your choice upon registration.

• Hard Copy - Your book will be couriered to you - no extra charge
• PDF - You will be emailed a PDF copy of the book 3 working days before the event - no extra charge
• Both Hard Copy & PDF - You will be emailed a PDF copy of the book 3 working days before the event, and couriered the hard copy book - additional $45 charge

Format

This conference will include a diverse lineup of expert presenters covering a range of topics. Each session will include time for questions.

Held in-person & online. Live web stream registrants - you will be emailed a link to join the live stream one week before. For information on what is required to participate in the live web stream, click here. A recording will be distributed approximately one week after the event.

New! Live Stream Recordings for In-Person Attendees

In-person attendees now receive four weeks of access to live stream recordings following each session. This added benefit allows you to revisit key insights, in your own time – at your own pace, and reinforce your understanding to extend the value of your learning well beyond attending the event. Recordings will be available approximately one week after the event.

Fee (incl GST) 

In-Person

Earlybird – by 7 August 2025

• $895 – Law Society members & associate members
• $1,275 – Non-members

Registration – after 7 August 2025

• $995 – Law Society members & associate members
• $1,375 – Non-members

Live Web Stream

Earlybird – by 7 August 2025

• $875 – Law Society members & associate members
• $1,255 – Non-members

Registration - after 7 August 2025

• $975 – Law Society members & associate members
• $1,355 – Non-members

View group pricing options
Download PDF brochure & registration form

Auckland	4 September
Live Web Stream	4 September
I can't attend, but please let me know when the book is available to purchase.

Sponsored by 

          

Comments from past attendees

• "Good detail and level of technical information on issues."
• "Really appreciated the papers."
• "A great day with superb content."

Cancellation and Refund Policy

You may cancel your registration eight working days in advance of an event, and you will receive a refund less a 25% administration fee. If you cancel less than eight working days in advance of the event, no refund is payable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person. If you wish to do so you must advise CLE New Zealand Law Society in writing of the change. CLE reserves the right to close registrations, and cancel or reschedule an event as necessary. Where an event is cancelled by CLE, a full refund is payable.