About Katherine.

Katherine Ewer, LLB, TEP is a tax and trust legal specialist based in Christchurch. Katherine completed her LLB at University of Canterbury in 1995 and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in the same year.

After several years working in general practice (predominantly focusing on the areas of trusts, tax, property and general commercial practice), Katherine specialised in tax. In late 2002 Katherine joined Ernst & Young Christchurch tax’s practice where she worked for three and a half years. In November 2005, Katherine joined a Christchurch legal firm which specialises in property and commercial law as an Associate and became a partner in October 2006. Katherine developed the firm’s tax practice and for several years also led the firms private client team which consisted of a significant trust management practice.  

In March 2013, Katherine established her own tax & trust law practice.

Katherine advises on a variety of income tax and GST issues relating to commercial and property transactions. Katherine has a particular interest in property and has advised on numerous income tax and GST issues relating to land transactions, subdivisions and the development of land. 

Katherine combines her tax, trust and structuring knowledge for the purpose of providing clients who live (or plan to live) in New Zealand with asset and estate planning advice in New Zealand and works closely with legal and tax advisors in foreign jurisdictions to provide the best solutions and outcomes for her clients.

Katherine is an experienced trusts practitioner and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Katherine is involved in the establishment and administration of both private and charitable trusts and advises on all aspects of trust administration and management. Katherine also provides advice on the tax implications for New Zealand resident settlors migrating overseas as well as clients moving to New Zealand who are looking to establish a trust in New Zealand or already have a trust in their home jurisdiction.  Katherine also advises on tax issues relating to distributions, resettlement and migration as well as tax planning for individuals immigrating to or emigrating from New Zealand.

Katherine provides advice to private clients and professional firms where detailed specialist tax or trust advice is required. 

Katherine is a Guest Lecturer at the University of Canterbury and lecturing on topics in the areas of tax and trusts for the College of Business and Law. Katherine enjoys teaching and conducts in-house training sessions on tax and trust issues for law firms as well as seminars for business groups, real estate agents, property investors and clients.

Katherine maintains an active interest in legislative change and as a member of the New Zealand Law Society Taxation Committee regularly makes submissions in relation to proposed changes to the taxation laws of New Zealand as well as IRD Intrepretation Statements and publications.

In her leisure time Katherine is an avid runner, cyclist and swimmer. Katherine competes in many middle and long distance running, cycling and multisport events. Katherine represented New Zealand at the ITU World Age Group Duathlon Championships held in Adelaide in October 2015 and in Penticton, Canada in August 2017.

Katherine is married to David who is also a competitive runner and cyclist.