New Zealand’s litigation environment is entering a period of significant change. Directors are facing increased personal exposure, and levels of regulatory enforcement continue to rise across the board. Both corporates and individuals are dealing with a rapidly evolving risk landscape shaped by class actions, digital threats, and major procedural reform. These pressures are reshaping how disputes emerge, how they are managed, and what “litigation‑ready” needs to look like in 2026.

Our team looks at six key litigation trends for the year:

1. All eyes on the boardroom 
2. Escalating class actions and shareholder activism
3. A new era of regulatory enforcement
4. Cyber, AI and digital risks intensify
5. Infrastructure disputes in the pipeline
6. Litigation gets leaner with major High Court shake-up.

These themes don’t operate in isolation. They intersect and compound. The message for 2026 is clear: proactive risk management, robust governance, and dispute readiness are not optional. They are essential to navigating New Zealand’s increasingly complex litigation and regulatory environment.

Click through to read the report and find out more from our experts. 

To download a printable version, click here to print.