The Law Association of New Zealand

Estate Planning Conference 2026 – Conflict and Independence (In Person)

Are you seeing real issues, particularly in Conflict and Independence, in Estate planning? When things go wrong, the legal, financial, and personal consequences can be far-reaching.

Join our expert panel of presenters who will explore practical insights into issues, and strategies to strengthen your ability to manage issues and deliver robust advice.

This follows on from the very successful Estate planning conference in 2025.  Whether you’re advising on high-value estates or supporting vulnerable clients, this is your opportunity to stay informed and equipped for what’s ahead.

Sessions

Panel Discussion – Who is my Client? Unpacking the conflicts

S21 Agreements – The Potential to Derail Asset Planning

Planning for Conflict

Caveats Against Probate

Advising on Claims by Estates

EPOAs – Conflicts and Independence When Advising

Panel Discussion – Conflicts in Action: Practical Examples & Tips from our Panel

Schedule

11:30am – 12:30pm: Registration, Lunch & Networking

12:30pm – 5:00pm: Conference, including presentations, and a panel discussion exploring various issues of conflict and independence in a case study

5:00pm – 6:00pm: Networking, Drinks & Canapés

Able to join us in person? Click here to book your ticket and enjoy networking opportunities. 

Secure your spot today!

Learning Outcomes 

  • Identify key sources of conflict in estate planning practice.
  • Analyse competing interests and their impact on client advice.
  • Apply strategies to prevent and manage estate disputes.
  • Recognise and respond to common risk areas, including executors, caveats, and EPOAs.
  • Apply ethical principles to maintain independence and manage conflicts of interest.


Who Should Attend?

Property, trust and private client lawyers, family lawyers, litigators, and other professionals involved in estate planning, disputes, or administration.


Presenters

Rebecca Steens | Partner, Holland Beckett
Amanda Bedford | Director, McCaw Lewis
Bethan Read | Special Counsel, Morris Legal
Mary Rozeboom | Senior Legal Counsel, Perpetual Guardian
Henry Stokes | Group Counsel, Perpetual Guardian
Emma Tonkin | Partner, Hesketh Henry

Chair

Rebecca Steens | Partner, Holland Beckett


Rebecca Steens

Rebecca advises on Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Trust formation, administration and applications for variations, estate administration (including contentious estates), independent trusteeship/executorship and occupation right agreements. With a background in contentious trusts and estates, Rebecca brings a unique and practical perspective for her clients. Prior to joining Holland Beckett, Rebecca had 8 years of experience in estate, trust and general litigation, including four years at an Offshore firm in Jersey, in the Channel Islands. 

bd0dbbfc-bdf7-ef11-bae2-0022489703a5
Henry Stokes

Henry was appointed General Counsel in 2019. He brings significant fiduciary expertise with considerable experience as in-house counsel in trustee companies and also time in private practice.

Henry is an expert in the trusts and estates field and is a regular presenter for the legal profession's continuing legal education seminars, as well as media interviews for trust, estates and wills related matters. He has experience in all facets of the process from the preparation and implementation stages through to disputes, claims and proceedings, having appeared in the Family and High Courts as well as the Court of Appeal. 

Henry is responsible for Perpetual Guardian's Legal Team as well as being a significant contributor to their Senior Leadership Team and brings experience in leadership, team transformation and productivity and process improvement. 

afd6c645-0bfc-ed11-8f6d-002248933b90
Emma Tonkin

Emma specialises in private wealth, real estate and overseas investment.  She has advised on a wide variety of business and lifestyle assets including forestry, coastal farmland, quarry/mining assets and greenfield residential development.  Emma also has a strong practice in succession planning, particularly as a large part of the private wealth market in New Zealand matures.  She reviews existing trusts to help clients develop a plan, as well as assisting with other parts of the estate planning process including preparing wills and enduring powers of attorney and assisting with family disputes.  Emma is an expert in relation to the Overseas Investment Act 2005.  She guides clients through the often complex regulatory process surrounding overseas ownership of sensitive New Zealand assets, including working with the Overseas Investment Office on applications and enforcement matters.

As an advisor, Emma brings an empathetic, responsive and highly client-focused approach to her work.  She is adept at understanding family dynamics and enjoys helping generations with their succession planning. 

Emma is individually ranked in Band 2 of international legal directory Chambers and Partners’ High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth in New Zealand.  She is a regular speaker at seminars on Trust Law. 

5bd6c645-0bfc-ed11-8f6d-002248933b90
Emma Tonkin

Emma specialises in private wealth, real estate and overseas investment.  She has advised on a wide variety of business and lifestyle assets including forestry, coastal farmland, quarry/mining assets and greenfield residential development.  Emma also has a strong practice in succession planning, particularly as a large part of the private wealth market in New Zealand matures.  She reviews existing trusts to help clients develop a plan, as well as assisting with other parts of the estate planning process including preparing wills and enduring powers of attorney and assisting with family disputes.  Emma is an expert in relation to the Overseas Investment Act 2005.  She guides clients through the often complex regulatory process surrounding overseas ownership of sensitive New Zealand assets, including working with the Overseas Investment Office on applications and enforcement matters.

As an advisor, Emma brings an empathetic, responsive and highly client-focused approach to her work.  She is adept at understanding family dynamics and enjoys helping generations with their succession planning. 

Emma is individually ranked in Band 2 of international legal directory Chambers and Partners’ High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth in New Zealand.  She is a regular speaker at seminars on Trust Law. 

5bd6c645-0bfc-ed11-8f6d-002248933b90

Details

Pricing Details

Ticket Price

Early Bird Pricing (until 9 July 2026) 

Member: $515 plus GST
Non-member: $645 plus GST


Full Pricing (from 10 July 2026)

Member: $570 plus GST
Non-Member: $715 plus GST





Busy schedule? No problem.
Our CPD webinars are recorded and available On Demand – offering the same CPD credit as attending live, with flexible access designed to fit your schedule. If you miss the livestream, don’t worry – you’ll receive access to the On Demand recording so you can catch up anytime. 

Click here to explore our extensive On Demand catalogue.


Registration

Registration Close Date

27/07/2026
Loading...