# 2026 Legal Pathway Brief — PPPR Act, EPA Disputes, and Capacity

| Field              | Detail                                                                              |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Type**           | Legal pathway brief — Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 framework |
| **Status**         | Reference                                                                           |
| **Date**           | June 2026                                                                           |
| **Classification** | Knowledge Base — Legal and Financial Planning                                       |

---

## Table of Contents

1. [Overview of the PPPR Act 1988](#1-overview-of-the-pppr-act-1988)
2. [Welfare Guardianship](#2-welfare-guardianship)
3. [Property Management](#3-property-management)
4. [Enduring Powers of Attorney — Oversight and Interaction with PPPR Act](#4-enduring-powers-of-attorney--oversight-and-interaction-with-pppr-act)
5. [Family Court Jurisdiction](#5-family-court-jurisdiction)
6. [Capacity Assessment — Who Assesses and What Standard](#6-capacity-assessment--who-assesses-and-what-standard)
7. [Section 102 and Section 103 Orders](#7-section-102-and-section-103-orders)
8. [Interaction Between EPA and PPPR Act Orders](#8-interaction-between-epa-and-pppr-act-orders)
9. [Practical Pathways for Families](#9-practical-pathways-for-families)
10. [Key Contacts and Resources](#10-key-contacts-and-resources)

---

## 1. Overview of the PPPR Act 1988

The **Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988** (PPPR Act) is New Zealand's primary legislation governing legal decision-making for adults who lack mental capacity. It establishes the legal framework for:

- **Welfare guardians** — people appointed to make personal and welfare decisions
- **Property managers** — people appointed to manage financial affairs
- **Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs)** — the statutory basis for EPAs
- **Family Court jurisdiction** — court oversight and dispute resolution
- **Capacity assessment standards** — the legal test for mental capacity

### Key Principles

The PPPR Act is guided by several fundamental principles (section 5):

| Principle                          | Application                                                                            |
| ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Presumption of capacity**        | Every adult is presumed to have capacity unless proven otherwise                       |
| **Least restrictive intervention** | The court should intervene only to the extent necessary                                |
| **Maximum participation**          | The person should be involved in decisions affecting them as much as possible          |
| **Best interests**                 | Decisions must be made in the person's best interests                                  |
| **Substituted judgment**           | Decision-makers should consider what the person would have wanted if they had capacity |
| **Māori values and tikanga**       | The court must have regard to the person's cultural background and values              |

### PPPR Act and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Act requires the court to consider a person's cultural background, including tikanga Māori concepts such as **whānau decision-making** and **kaumātua status**. This is particularly relevant for:

- Māori older adults where whānau collective decision-making may conflict with individual EPA structures
- Pacific older adults where familial and community obligations shape care decisions
- The growing recognition of culturally appropriate capacity assessment tools (e.g., the MANA tool for Māori)

---

## 2. Welfare Guardianship

### What It Covers

A welfare guardian is appointed by the Family Court to make **personal and welfare decisions** for a person who lacks the capacity to make those decisions themselves. This includes:

- Where the person will live
- Medical treatment decisions
- Daily care arrangements
- Social contact and relationships
- Education and employment (where relevant)
- Access to services

### Who Can Apply

| Applicant Type                            | Notes                                                       |
| ----------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Family members**                        | Most common — spouse, adult children, siblings              |
| **Informal carers**                       | De facto caregivers without formal legal relationship       |
| **Health professionals**                  | Doctors, hospital social workers, DHB (now Health NZ) staff |
| **Social workers**                        | Particularly where no family is available or willing        |
| **Public Trust**                          | In cases of serious financial vulnerability                 |
| **Any other person with proper interest** | Broad standing — the court decides                          |

### Appointment Process

```
Step 1: Application filed in Family Court
│
Step 2: Court appoints a lawyer to represent the person (s. 65)
│  └─► This is mandatory — the person must have independent representation
│
Step 3: Medical evidence of incapacity is filed
│  └─► Usually a doctor's report (see Section 6 for standards)
│
Step 4: Views of family and carers are sought
│  └─► The court considers whānau and wider family views
│
Step 5: Court appoints welfare guardian
│  ├─► Usually a family member (preferred by the Act)
│  └─► May be a professional (Public Trust, lawyer) if no suitable family
│
Step 6: Court sets review period
│  └─► Typically 1–3 years — orders are not indefinite
│
Step 7: Reporting and review
│  └─► Guardian must report to the court as directed
```

### Who Can Be a Welfare Guardian

| Suitable                              | Less Suitable                                      |
| ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Family member with close relationship | Person with conflict of interest                   |
| Person willing and able to act        | Person with history of abuse                       |
| Person in regular contact             | Person with criminal record relevant to care       |
| Geographically accessible             | Person living overseas                             |
| Culturally appropriate                | Person the person themselves would not have chosen |

### Duties of a Welfare Guardian

- Act in the person's best interests
- Consult with the person (as far as they can participate)
- Promote the person's independence and participation
- Protect the person from harm (including financial abuse)
- Report to the court as required
- **Cannot** make decisions about marriage, divorce, adoption, or certain other personal matters

### Cost Implications

| Item                      | Typical Cost                                |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Filing fee                | ~$100–$200                                  |
| Lawyer for person (s. 65) | $1,500–$3,500 (may be covered by legal aid) |
| Medical reports           | $300–$800                                   |
| Your own lawyer           | $2,000–$5,000+                              |
| **Total estimated**       | **$3,000–$10,000+**                         |

**Note:** Legal aid is available for welfare guardian applications for the person who lacks capacity, but not usually for the applicant.

---

## 3. Property Management

### Thresholds

A property manager is appointed when a person lacks capacity to manage their own financial affairs **AND** either:

- Their annual income exceeds **$40,000**; or
- Their property/assets are worth more than **$25,000**

If below both thresholds, the court may decide no formal property manager is needed.

### Scope of Authority

| Can Do                                               | Cannot Do                              |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Operate bank accounts                                | Make a will for the person             |
| Pay bills, debts, and expenses                       | Gift assets (without court approval)   |
| Manage investments                                   | Change beneficiaries of life insurance |
| Sell property (with court approval for major assets) | Vote on behalf of the person           |
| Apply for benefits and entitlements                  | Many decisions without court approval  |
| Pay for care and accommodation                       |                                        |
| Collect debts owed to the person                     |                                        |

### Types of Property Orders

| Order Type                      | Scope                   | When Used                                            |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Full property management**    | All financial affairs   | Person unable to manage any financial decisions      |
| **Limited property management** | Specific matters only   | Person can manage some decisions but not others      |
| **Interim property management** | Urgent temporary orders | Emergency situations (e.g., funds at immediate risk) |

### Who Can Be a Property Manager

| Type                    | Who                            | Pros                                       | Cons                                              |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Family member**       | Spouse, child, sibling         | Knows the person, lower cost, family trust | Potential for conflict, may lack financial skills |
| **Public Trust**        | Crown entity                   | Professional, neutral, regulated           | Fees, less personal                               |
| **Lawyer**              | Private practitioner           | Professional, accountable                  | Cost, may be less available                       |
| **Trustee corporation** | Corporate trustee              | Professional, enduring                     | Fees, impersonal                                  |
| **MSD**                 | Ministry of Social Development | For people receiving benefits              | Limited scope                                     |

---

## 4. Enduring Powers of Attorney — Oversight and Interaction with PPPR Act

### EPA as a PPPR Act Instrument

EPAs are created under **Part 9 of the PPPR Act 1988** (sections 96–105). The Act provides the legal foundation for:

- Creation requirements (witnessing, lawyer explanation, donor capacity)
- Attorney duties and powers
- Revocation and suspension
- Court oversight

### Attorney Duties Under the PPPR Act

Attorneys acting under an EPA have statutory duties derived from the PPPR Act:

| Duty                              | Detail                                                                  |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Fiduciary duty**                | Must act in the donor's best interests, not their own                   |
| **Duty to avoid conflict**        | Must not put themselves in position where interests conflict            |
| **Duty of care**                  | Must exercise reasonable skill and care                                 |
| **Record-keeping**                | Property attorneys must keep proper accounts and records                |
| **Duty to consult**               | Should consult with donor (as far as possible) and family               |
| **Duty to maintain independence** | Should encourage donor's independence                                   |
| **Duty not to gift**              | Cannot gift donor's assets without court approval (except normal gifts) |

### EPA Misuse and the PPPR Act

EPA misuse is the most common form of financial elder abuse. The PPPR Act provides mechanisms for:

| Problem                    | Mechanism Under PPPR Act                                   |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Suspected misuse           | Application to Family Court for directions (s. 102)        |
| Attorney acting improperly | Application to remove attorney                             |
| Attorney unable to act     | Application to appoint property manager / welfare guardian |
| Disputed capacity          | Court can order capacity assessment                        |
| Urgent risk                | Interim orders (s. 103)                                    |

### Interaction: EPA vs Court Orders

| Scenario                                | What Applies                                           | Who Decides                               |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| Valid EPA, attorney acting properly     | EPA continues                                          | Attorney (with no court oversight needed) |
| Valid EPA, capacity disputed            | EPA suspended pending determination                    | Family Court                              |
| Valid EPA, attorney misusing powers     | Court can remove attorney, appoint manager             | Family Court                              |
| No EPA, person lacks capacity           | Court must appoint welfare guardian / property manager | Family Court                              |
| EPA in place but not covering all needs | Court can supplement with limited orders               | Family Court                              |

---

## 5. Family Court Jurisdiction

### What the Family Court Can Do Under the PPPR Act

The Family Court has broad jurisdiction under the PPPR Act:

| Power                        | Section      | Use Case                                      |
| ---------------------------- | ------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| Appoint welfare guardian     | s. 12        | Person lacks capacity for personal decisions  |
| Appoint property manager     | s. 31        | Person lacks capacity for financial decisions |
| Review/revoke appointments   | ss. 21, 40   | Change of circumstances                       |
| Remove an attorney           | s. 102       | EPA misuse, conflict, incapacity              |
| Give directions to attorney  | s. 102       | Clarify attorney's powers or duties           |
| Suspend EPA                  | s. 103(1)(c) | Urgent risk while investigation proceeds      |
| Make interim orders          | s. 103       | Urgent protection of person or property       |
| Order capacity assessment    | s. 102(2)(c) | Disputed capacity                             |
| Appoint replacement attorney | s. 102(2)(d) | Where attorney can no longer act              |

### Starting a Family Court Proceeding

**Who can apply:**

- The donor (while still having capacity)
- The attorney
- A family member
- A social worker or health professional
- Public Trust
- Any other person with a proper interest

**What is needed:**

1. Application form (specific to PPPR Act matters)
2. Medical evidence of capacity (if disputed)
3. Evidence of grounds for the application
4. Affidavit setting out facts

**Timeframes:**

| Matter                        | Typical Timeline       |
| ----------------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Urgent interim order (s. 103) | 1–5 days               |
| Directions hearing            | 2–4 weeks              |
| Full hearing (unopposed)      | 2–4 months             |
| Full hearing (contested)      | 4–12 months            |
| Appeal to High Court          | Additional 6–12 months |

### Cost of Family Court Proceedings

| Scenario                            | Estimated Cost                      |
| ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Unopposed application (no lawyer)   | $100–$500 (filing + medical report) |
| Unopposed application (with lawyer) | $3,000–$8,000                       |
| Contested application               | $10,000–$50,000+                    |
| Complex litigation (appeals)        | $50,000–$150,000+                   |

---

## 6. Capacity Assessment — Who Assesses and What Standard

### Legal Test for Capacity

New Zealand does not have a single statutory definition of capacity, but the common law test (derived from the UK case **Re C (Adult: Refusal of Treatment) [1994]** and adopted in NZ) requires the person to be able to:

1. **Understand** the nature and consequences of the decision
2. **Retain** the relevant information long enough to make the decision
3. **Weigh and balance** the information as part of decision-making
4. **Communicate** the decision (by any means, including non-verbal)

### Who Assesses Capacity

| Context                                   | Who Assesses                                           | Standard Applied                            |
| ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Creating an EPA**                       | Witnessing lawyer (must be satisfied)                  | Common law — lawyer's professional judgment |
| **EPA activation (care & welfare)**       | Doctor                                                 | Common law — medical judgment               |
| **EPA activation (property — springing)** | Doctor                                                 | Common law — medical judgment               |
| **Family Court application**              | Doctor's report; court may order specialist assessment | Common law as interpreted by the court      |
| **Disputed capacity**                     | Specialist psychiatrist, psychologist, or geriatrician | Comprehensive assessment                    |
| **Everyday medical decisions**            | Treating doctor                                        | Decision-specific capacity                  |
| **Research or complex medical decisions** | Health practitioner with specialist knowledge          | Higher standard may apply                   |

### The Assessment Process

A formal capacity assessment typically involves:

1. **Clinical interview** — structured assessment of cognition and decision-making
2. **Cognitive screening** — e.g., MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), ACE-III, or MMSE
3. **Functional assessment** — actual ability to manage daily tasks
4. **Diagnosis** — underlying cause of incapacity (e.g., dementia, delirium, intellectual disability)
5. **Decision-specific assessment** — can the person make THIS particular decision?
6. **Report** — written report for the court or decision-maker

### Key Assessment Tools Used in NZ

| Tool                                          | Type                          | Used For                                    |
| --------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment)          | Cognitive screening           | Quick assessment of cognitive function      |
| ACE-III (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination) | Detailed cognitive assessment | Dementia diagnosis and severity             |
| MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)          | Cognitive screening           | Widely used but less sensitive              |
| MANA assessment                               | Māori-specific tool           | Culturally appropriate assessment for Māori |
| Functional assessment                         | Daily living skills           | Practical capacity to manage affairs        |
| Psychogeriatric assessment                    | Specialist                    | Complex mental health + ageing issues       |

### Capacity and Decision-Specificity

**Important principle:** Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific. A person may:

- Have capacity to make some decisions but not others
- Have capacity at one time but not another
- Have capacity with support that they lack without it
- Have fluctuating capacity (common in dementia, delirium)

### Red Flags for Capacity Concerns

| Indicator                                               | What to Do                                                |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Sudden change in decision-making                        | Investigate acute cause (delirium, infection, medication) |
| Person with dementia making unusual financial decisions | Capacity assessment, check for undue influence            |
| Person agreeing to things they clearly don't understand | Suspect lack of capacity — get assessment                 |
| Person with known cognitive decline refusing care       | Capacity assessment before overriding wishes              |
| Person being isolated from family/friends by caregiver  | Possible undue influence — urgent investigation           |

---

## 7. Section 102 and Section 103 Orders

### Section 102 Orders

**Section 102 of the PPPR Act** gives the Family Court broad powers to make orders about EPAs. This is the primary mechanism for:

- **Directions to an attorney** — clarifying what the attorney can/cannot do
- **Removal of an attorney** — where attorney is acting improperly
- **Suspension of an EPA** — pending further investigation
- **Appointment of a replacement attorney** — where the original can no longer act
- **Review of attorney actions** — requiring accounts and explanation
- **Declarations about validity of an EPA** — was it validly created?

#### Grounds for Removal of an Attorney

| Ground                                        | Example                                                        |
| --------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Attorney acting in own interests              | Using donor's funds for own benefit                            |
| Attorney not acting in donor's best interests | Making decisions that harm the donor                           |
| Attorney lacks capacity themselves            | The attorney develops dementia                                 |
| Conflict of interest                          | Attorney is also a beneficiary who benefits from donor's death |
| Breach of fiduciary duty                      | Failing to keep proper accounts                                |
| Failure to consult                            | Making major decisions without consulting family               |
| Abuse of position                             | Gifting donor's assets to themselves                           |
| Financial exploitation                        | Systematic misappropriation of funds                           |

#### Evidence Required for s. 102 Application

| Type of Evidence         | Example                                                |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Financial records**    | Bank statements showing unusual withdrawals, transfers |
| **Gifting records**      | Evidence of excessive gifting to attorney or family    |
| **Medical evidence**     | Capacity assessment at relevant time                   |
| **Witness statements**   | Family members, bank staff, social workers             |
| **Attorney's accounts**  | If attorney has failed to provide accounts             |
| **Correspondence**       | Letters, emails showing concerns raised and ignored    |
| **Professional reports** | Social worker, Public Trust investigations             |

### Section 103 Orders (Interim / Urgent)

**Section 103** allows the Family Court to make **urgent interim orders** without full notice to all parties where there is a risk of:

- Immediate danger to the person's health, safety, or welfare
- Immediate risk of loss or damage to property
- Need to preserve evidence

| Order Type                     | Effect                        | Duration                             |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Suspension of EPA              | Attorney can no longer act    | Pending full hearing                 |
| Freeze on bank accounts        | Prevents further withdrawals  | 7–21 days initially                  |
| Appointment of interim manager | Temporary control of finances | Usually up to 3 months               |
| Protection order               | Person moved to safe location | Pending welfare guardian appointment |
| Seizure of documents           | Passport, title deeds secured | Pending investigation                |

**Application process for s. 103:**

- **Can be made ex parte** (without notice to the attorney)
- **Requires affidavit** setting out urgency and risk
- **Hearing within 24–48 hours** in urgent cases
- **Attorney notified afterwards** — can apply to vary or discharge

---

## 8. Interaction Between EPA and PPPR Act Orders

### EPA Exists and Is Working Well

- No court involvement needed
- Attorney acts under EPA
- Regular monitoring by family (recommended)

### EPA Exists but Disputed

```
Dispute arises (capacity, misuse, validity)
│
├─► Try informal resolution first
│   └─► Family meeting, legal advice, mediation
│
└─► If no resolution → Family Court
    │
    ├─► s. 102 application for directions, removal, or suspension
    ├─► s. 103 application if urgent
    └─► Capacity assessment ordered if disputed
```

### No EPA, No Capacity

```
Person lacks capacity, no EPA in place
│
└─► Family Court application required
    │
    ├─► Welfare guardian (s. 12) — personal decisions
    ├─► Property manager (s. 31) — financial decisions
    └─► Both, if needed
```

### EPA Exists but Gaps Remain

```
EPA covers some areas but not all
│
├─► Property EPA exists, no care & welfare EPA
│   └─► Apply to Family Court for welfare guardian only
│
├─► EPA only covers specific decisions
│   └─► Court can supplement with additional orders
│
└─► EPA attorney unable/unwilling to act
    └─► s. 102 — remove and replace, or court appointment
```

---

## 9. Practical Pathways for Families

### Prevention (While the Person Still Has Capacity)

| Action                                              | Why It Matters                                                    |
| --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Create both Property and Care & Welfare EPAs**    | Avoids Family Court; costs $200–$800 now vs $3,000–$10,000+ later |
| **Discuss attorney choices with family**            | Reduces later disputes; ensures everyone knows the plan           |
| **Store EPA with lawyer and give copy to attorney** | Prevents delay when EPA is needed urgently                        |
| **Make or update a will**                           | Aligns estate planning with EPA and care preferences              |
| **Record care preferences**                         | Advance care directive — guides decisions if capacity lost        |
| **Regular financial reviews**                       | Early warning of unusual transactions                             |
| **Consider a trust**                                | Asset protection (subject to RCS gifting rules)                   |

### Early Warning Signs (Act Now)

| Sign                                          | Action                                     |
| --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Person with dementia making unusual purchases | Capacity assessment; check EPA is in place |
| Attorney won't share financial information    | Request accounts; seek legal advice        |
| Family member isolated from loved one         | Possible undue influence — investigate     |
| Bills going unpaid                            | Check if attorney is managing properly     |
| Person appears frightened of attorney         | Elder abuse concern — call EARS            |
| Attorney living beyond their means            | Possible misappropriation                  |

### When Concerns Arise — A Step-by-Step Pathway

```
STEP 1: Gather Information
├─► Request accounts from attorney (they must provide)
├─► Speak with the person (if possible)
├─► Speak with other family members
└─► Check bank statements, land titles, investment records

STEP 2: Get Advice
├─► Community Law Centre — free initial advice
├─► Private lawyer with elder law experience
├─► Public Trust (for professional advice)
└─► Age Concern elder abuse support

STEP 3: Try Informal Resolution
├─► Family meeting (with or without mediator)
├─► Letter to attorney setting out concerns
├─► Independent capacity assessment
└─► Mediation (less costly than court)

STEP 4: Formal Action
├─► s. 102 application to Family Court
├─► s. 103 urgent application if risk is immediate
└─► Complaint to NZ Police if criminal offending (e.g., theft)

STEP 5: Ongoing Protection
├─► Appointment of welfare guardian / property manager
├─► Regular court reviews
├─► Monitoring arrangements
└─► Consider complaint to Law Society if lawyer-attorney involved
```

### Urgent Pathway (Risk of Immediate Harm)

```
Immediate risk to person's safety or property
│
├─► Call Police (111) if immediate danger
├─► Call Elder Abuse Response Service (0800 32 668 65)
├─► Contact Community Law Centre for urgent legal advice
├─► File s. 103 urgent application (same-day or next-day hearing)
│
├─► For financial urgency:
│   └─► Inform bank of suspected abuse (they have policies)
│   └─► Freeze joint accounts where possible
│
├─► For personal urgency:
│   └─► Move person to safe location if at risk
│   └─► Seek interim welfare guardian appointment
└─► Seek legal advice immediately
```

### Cost Comparison: Prevention vs Court

| Scenario                                              | Approximate Cost  |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| **Prevention:** Create both EPAs while capable        | $200–$800         |
| **Early intervention:** Legal advice + family meeting | $500–$2,000       |
| **Family Court:** Unopposed welfare guardian          | $3,000–$8,000     |
| **Family Court:** Contested EPA removal               | $15,000–$50,000+  |
| **Complex litigation:** including appeals             | $50,000–$150,000+ |

---

## 10. Key Contacts and Resources

| Organisation                            | Role                                             | Contact                  |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------ |
| **Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS)** | 24/7 helpline for elder abuse concerns           | 0800 32 668 65           |
| **Age Concern New Zealand**             | Elder abuse support, advocacy, information       | 0800 652 105             |
| **Community Law Centres**               | Free legal advice on EPAs, PPPR Act matters      | communitylaw.org.nz      |
| **Public Trust**                        | EPA, welfare guardian, property manager services | 0800 371 471             |
| **Office for Seniors**                  | EPA forms, information, and guidance             | officeforseniors.govt.nz |
| **Family Court**                        | PPPR Act applications                            | justice.govt.nz/family   |
| **NZ Law Society**                      | Find a lawyer for elder law                      | lawsociety.org.nz        |
| **HealthCERT**                          | Rest home audit reports                          | health.govt.nz           |
| **Ministry of Justice**                 | Legal aid information                            | justice.govt.nz          |
| **Health and Disability Commissioner**  | Complaints about care providers                  | hdc.org.nz               |

---

## Cross-References

| File                                                                              | Relevance                                               |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `2026 Legal Source Brief - Family Court and Enduring Power of Attorney.md`        | Detailed analysis of EPA disputes in Family Court       |
| `2026 Legal Tracker - EPA PPPR Capacity and Elder Abuse Case Law.md`              | Key case law on capacity, EPA disputes, and elder abuse |
| `2026 Legal Planning Topic Map - EPAs Capacity Wills and Protection.md`           | Practical guide to EPAs, wills, and trusts              |
| `2026 Party Position Matrix - Elder Abuse and Consumer Protection.md` (Folder 16) | Political context for PPPR Act reform                   |
| `08 Elder Abuse and Advocacy` (Folder 08)                                         | Elder abuse support services and advocacy               |

---

_Part of the NZ Seniors Knowledge Base — Legal and Financial Planning layer_
_Last updated: June 2026_