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.

Click here to download the Programme.

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

Livestream

Not able to join us in person? Click here to join the livestream.

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 
Mary Rozeboom | Senior Legal Counsel, Perpetual Guardian
Henry Stokes | Fiduciary Expert
Emma Tonkin | Partner, Hesketh Henry

Chair

Rebecca Steens | Partner, Holland Beckett


Bethan Read

Bethan leads Morris’ private client team and is a trusted advisor to clients. Bethan has extensive experience in creating bespoke estate planning and asset protection solutions including trust structures, wills, enduring powers of attorney, relationship agreements and all other private client services. Bethan is qualified in both New Zealand and England and Wales. She began her career at top tier firms in the Channel Islands and London, where she gained high-level international experience in private client matters. More recently, she was director and head of the trust legal team of an international trust company based in New Zealand and joined Morris five years ago to lead their newly formed private client team. Bethan regularly presents at industry conferences in New Zealand on asset protection and estate planning topics.

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Mary Rozeboom

Mary Rozeboom graduated from the University of Waikato in 2013, with a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours.  Mary has spent time advising on trust administration and provided key support during the implementation of resultant changes following the commencement of the Trusts Act 2019.  Mary also spends a lot of time working in the PPPR space, and enjoys seeing results for the protection of vulnerable New Zealanders.

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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. 

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Amanda Bedford

Amanda leads the Asset Planning at McCaw Lewis Lawyers.

She works closely with accountants and advisers to create integrated strategies covering trusts, wills, enduring powers of attorney and relationship-property agreements, amongst other private client services.  She is also qualified to practice in Western Australia and her earlier experience in banking and finance at a top-tier Australian firm along with a background in property law grounds her guidance in commercial reality. 

As a trustee of ConneXu, Angel Casts and Age Concern Waikato, Amanda sits “on the other side” of the table, giving her unique, practical insight that deepens the relevance of her legal advice.  She is also a member of the Law Association’s trust law committee.

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Henry Stokes

Henry is the former Group General Counsel of Perpetual Guardian. He brings significant fiduciary expertise with considerable experience gained as in-house counsel in trustee companies and also time in private practice. Henry specialises in wills, estates, trusts (both family and charitable) and protection of personal and property rights matters, including appearing in the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. Henry brings experience in leadership, team transformation and productivity and process improvement. He is also a regular presenter for the legal profession’s continuing legal education seminars, as well as media interviews for trust, estates and wills related matters.

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Emma Tonkin

Emma Tonkin is a Partner in the Private Wealth team at Hesketh Henry in Auckland. She advises clients on trusts, estates, relationship property, and succession planning, with a particular focus on complex family wealth structures and those with significant real estate assets. Emma is well known for her practical approach to contentious estates and trust disputes, and for bringing a high degree of empathy to client matters. She regularly acts for trustees, beneficiaries, and high net worth individuals, and is a frequent presenter on trusts and estates issues for practitioner audiences.  Emma is also an expert in relation to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 assisting clients with both applications and enforcement issues.

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Details

Pricing Details

Ticket Price

Early Bird Pricing (until 9 July)

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
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