Richard McNaughton

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

richard.mcnaughton@mbclaw.co.nz
09 377 1804
027 617 8887

Richard McNaughton is an experienced solicitor who acts for clients across a range of matters, including-

  • Relationship Property Division
  • Parenting Disputes
  • Rural and Agricultural Issues
  • Farming disputes – sharemilking, grazing and lease disputes
  • Commercial Disputes
  • Summary Judgment and Caveat Applications
  • Protection Orders
  • Section 106 Discharge Without Conviction
  • MPI Prosecutions – agriculture, animal welfare, fisheries and food.

Richard is a specialist in family law and farming related disputes and has a comprehensive scientific understanding of agricultural production systems.  He enjoys helping clients through the Court processes, using his extensive experience to achieve the best possible outcomes for them and their children. His advice is strategic, pragmatic, and understandable; with a focus on bringing clarity to the chaos that arises in legal disputes.

Richard comes from a farming background and has many years of business and construction experience.

Notable Cases

Eight One Two Limited v Ryan

Acting for Eight One Two Limited, with a successful application to remove a vexatious financing statement which registered security interests over numerous vehicles owned by the applicant. The matter was resolved during the hearing, and the financing statement was then removed. Costs awarded on a scale 2B basis.  

Lifestyle Rental Properties Limited and others v Sensational Views Limited [2025] NZHC 2877

Acting for Sensational Views Limited in successful opposition to sustain caveat by Lifestyle Rental Properties Limited. Costs ordered in favour of Sensational Views Limited.

Lifestyle Loans Limited v Pope and another [2025] NZHC 2181

Acting for the trustees in successful challenge to sustain caveat by Lifestyle Loans Limited.  An appeal has been filed by Lifestyle Loans Limited, and the matter is proceeding to the Court of Appeal.  

Defence of automatism – Sexsomnia – Parasomnia

Appointment of an expert psychiatrist to interview the defendant and provide clinical observations relating to an automatism defence under section 132 of the Crimes Act 1961 (sexual conduct with child under 12 years of age).  

Kerse v Samcro Trust [2025] NZDC 781

Acting for the Samcro Trust in successful defence of an appeal by the Kerses against a decision of the Tenancy Tribunal.

Sharemilking Dispute

Acting for a share-milker in settlement of a sharemilking dispute on a Waikato dairy farm involving complex calculations, where cow condition, milk production and pasture production illustrated that losses argued by the farm owners were a result of the farm owner’s-dictated policy. Appointment of a veterinarian to body condition score every cow on the farm at drying off.

Jin v Keen on Piercing [2024] NZERA 756

Acting for Keen on Piercing in a successful opposition to a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal.