Ƶ

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Download a Standard Template

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5
Access for free
OR

Alternatively: Run an advanced review of an existing

Let Ƶ's market-leading legal AI identify missing terms, unusual language, compliance issues and more - in just seconds.

What is a Release Agreement?

A Release Agreement is a legally binding contract that permanently settles a dispute by having one party give up their right to make future claims against another. In New Zealand, these agreements commonly appear in employment settlements, accident compensation cases, and business disputes.

When you sign a release, you're trading your right to pursue legal action for something valuable in return - usually a payment or benefit. The agreement must follow NZ contract law principles and clearly spell out what rights you're giving up. Many Kiwi organisations use releases alongside settlement agreements to create a clean break and prevent future litigation.

When should you use a Release Agreement?

Release Agreements become essential when you need to permanently resolve disputes or end legal obligations cleanly. Common situations include settling employment grievances, closing business partnerships, or wrapping up accident compensation claims in New Zealand.

Use a Release Agreement to protect your interests after paying a settlement, ending a contract early, or resolving a workplace dispute. It's particularly valuable when dealing with complex situations involving multiple parties or when you need documented proof that all parties have agreed to move forward without future claims. Many Kiwi businesses pair these with settlement agreements during restructures or when ending commercial relationships.

What are the different types of Release Agreement?

Who should typically use a Release Agreement?

  • Business Owners: Use Release Agreements to protect their companies from future claims when settling disputes or ending business relationships
  • Legal Practitioners: Draft and review agreements to ensure compliance with NZ law and protect their clients' interests
  • HR Managers: Handle employment-related releases during restructures, resignations, or settlement of workplace grievances
  • Event Organisers: Obtain releases from participants for activities with inherent risks
  • Creative Professionals: Use releases for image rights, content usage, and intellectual property protection
  • Insurance Companies: Require releases when settling claims to prevent future litigation

How do you write a Release Agreement?

  • Party Details: Gather full legal names, addresses, and roles of all involved parties
  • Scope Definition: List specific claims, rights, or actions being released
  • Consideration: Document the payment or benefit being provided in exchange for the release
  • Timeline: Set clear dates for when the release takes effect and any related deadlines
  • Risk Assessment: Identify potential future claims to ensure comprehensive coverage
  • Legal Requirements: Our platform ensures compliance with NZ contract law and includes all mandatory elements
  • Signing Authority: Confirm each party has proper authority to execute the agreement

What should be included in a Release Agreement?

  • Identification Section: Full legal names and details of all parties involved, including their capacity to contract
  • Release Clause: Clear description of rights being given up and claims being released
  • Consideration: Specific details of payment or benefit being provided in exchange for the release
  • Scope Definition: Precise boundaries of what is and isn't covered by the release
  • Time Elements: Effective date and any relevant deadlines or timeframes
  • Governing Law: Explicit statement that NZ law applies to the agreement
  • Severability Clause: Protection if any part is found invalid
  • Signature Block: Space for dated signatures with witness provisions where required

What's the difference between a Release Agreement and an Accountability Agreement?

Release Agreements are often confused with Affidavit and Indemnity Agreement, but they serve distinct legal purposes in New Zealand. While both deal with risk management, their scope and timing differ significantly.

  • Purpose: Release Agreements settle existing claims and prevent future ones, while indemnity agreements protect against future losses or claims that haven't happened yet
  • Timing of Effect: Releases typically take effect immediately upon signing to resolve current situations, whereas indemnities create ongoing obligations for future events
  • Direction of Protection: Releases permanently eliminate specific legal rights, while indemnities create new obligations to compensate for potential losses
  • Common Usage: Releases are common in dispute settlements and activity waivers, while indemnities appear more in business contracts and commercial relationships
  • Legal Scope: Releases usually cover specific, known risks or claims, while indemnities can extend to unknown future events

Generate a Free
Release Agreement

Get our New Zealand-compliant Release Agreement:

Access for Free Now
*No sign-up required
4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Find the exact document you need

Release Waiver Of Liability

A New Zealand-compliant liability waiver document that enables risk management while respecting NZ legal requirements including ACC provisions.

Download

Non Compete Release Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that releases parties from existing non-compete obligations while preserving any specified continuing obligations.

Download

Model Release Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement that establishes terms for using a model's likeness and images, protecting both model and photographer rights.

Download

General Release

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that provides for the complete release of claims and liabilities between parties, offering final settlement and legal closure.

Download

Handyman Waiver Form

A New Zealand-compliant liability waiver form for handyman and maintenance services, protecting service providers while ensuring fair terms for clients.

Download

Use Of Likeness Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement governing the authorized use of an individual's likeness, image, or personal characteristics for specified purposes.

Download

Waiver Of Claims Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement where one party formally waives specified legal claims against another party, subject to local statutory requirements and limitations.

Download

Debt Waiver Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that formally documents a creditor's waiver of debt and releases a debtor from specified payment obligations.

Download

Agreement Not To Sue

A New Zealand-governed legal agreement where one party commits not to pursue legal action against another party for specified claims or disputes.

Download

Simple Waiver Of Liability Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that releases liability for potential risks and damages during specified activities, subject to local consumer protection laws.

Download

Talent Release Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement that authorizes the use of an individual's image, likeness, or performance for specified purposes, ensuring legal compliance and protecting both parties' interests.

Download

Release Of Confidentiality Form

A New Zealand legal document that releases parties from their confidentiality obligations under existing agreements, governed by NZ privacy and contract law.

Download

Personal Trainer Indemnity Form

A New Zealand-compliant indemnity form for personal trainers, establishing risk management and liability parameters while protecting both trainer and client interests.

Download

Lease Release Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that formally terminates a lease agreement and releases parties from their ongoing obligations under the original lease.

Download

Early Tenancy Termination Letter

A formal notice under New Zealand law for requesting early termination of a residential tenancy agreement, including essential details and compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

Download

Construction Waiver Of Liability Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that establishes liability waivers and risk allocation between parties in construction projects.

Download

Housing Contract Termination Letter

A formal notice document used in New Zealand to terminate a residential tenancy agreement, complying with local housing laws and regulations.

Download

Settlement Agreement No Further Claims

A New Zealand-governed agreement that resolves disputes between parties and prevents any future claims related to the settled matter.

Download

Release Of Marital Agreement Form

A New Zealand legal document that formalizes the release of claims between separating spouses regarding relationship property division.

Download

Confidential Settlement Agreement And Release

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that documents confidential settlement terms and mutual releases between parties, ensuring privacy and finality in dispute resolution.

Download

Confidential Release Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that manages the protection and controlled release of confidential information between parties.

Download

Settlement Release Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement documenting settlement terms between parties, including compensation and mutual releases, to resolve disputes and prevent future claims.

Download

Confidential Settlement Agreement And General Release

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that resolves disputes confidentially while providing mutual releases and ensuring settlement terms remain private.

Download

Non Liability Contract

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that establishes and limits liability between parties in a business relationship, ensuring legal compliance while providing clear risk allocation.

Download

Shareholder Release Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement documenting the terms under which a shareholder releases their rights and claims against a company in exchange for specified consideration.

Download

Termination Waiver Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement documenting employment termination terms and mutual waivers of rights between employer and employee.

Download

Contractor Waiver Of Liability Form

A New Zealand-compliant liability waiver form for contractors that establishes risk acknowledgment and liability limitations while adhering to local legal requirements.

Download

Agreement Property Damage Release Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that settles and releases liability for property damage claims in exchange for agreed compensation.

Download

Mutual Release Form

A New Zealand law-governed agreement where parties mutually release each other from specified claims, rights, and obligations.

Download

Tenancy Release Form

A New Zealand legal document that formally terminates a residential tenancy agreement and releases all parties from their obligations under NZ tenancy law.

Download

Waiver Of Responsibility Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that releases one party from liability for specified risks and activities, subject to NZ law including ACC provisions.

Download

Contract Release Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that releases parties from their obligations under an existing contract, providing a formal end to contractual responsibilities.

Download

Mutual Rescission And Release Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that mutually terminates existing contracts and releases parties from future claims, providing a clean break in contractual relationships.

Download

Mutual Release Of Claims

A New Zealand law-governed agreement where parties mutually agree to release each other from specified claims and demands.

Download

Medical Waiver Of Liability Form

A New Zealand-compliant medical liability waiver document that balances healthcare provider protection with patient rights and informed consent requirements.

Download

Employee Release Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement that documents employment termination terms, including settlement payments and mutual releases between employer and employee.

Download

Agreement And General Release

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that provides mutual releases from claims between parties, typically used in dispute resolution or relationship termination scenarios.

Download

Release Of Debt Agreement

A New Zealand legal document that formally releases a debtor from their obligation to pay a specified debt to a creditor, providing legal certainty and finality to both parties.

Download

Mutual Release And Settlement Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that formally settles disputes between parties through mutual releases and defined settlement terms.

Download

General Release Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement that formally releases claims, rights, or obligations between parties, preventing future legal actions on specified matters.

Download

Settlement Agreement And Release

A New Zealand-governed legal document that resolves disputes between parties through agreed settlement terms and mutual releases of claims.

Download

Mutual Release Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement where parties mutually release each other from specified claims, rights, and obligations to resolve existing or potential disputes.

Download

Release Of Claims Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement where one party releases another from legal claims in exchange for consideration, subject to NZ contract and commercial law.

Download

General Release Of Liability Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that releases one party from liability claims by another party for specified incidents or activities.

Download

Agreement And Release

A New Zealand-compliant legal document that formalizes the release of claims or obligations between parties, incorporating local legislative requirements and execution standards.

Download

Separation And Release Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement that formally terminates employment and establishes mutual releases and obligations between employer and employee.

Download

Photo Release Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant legal agreement authorizing the use and distribution of photographs, aligned with NZ privacy and copyright laws.

Download

Non Liability Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement that establishes liability exclusions between parties while maintaining necessary legal protections.

Download

Model Contract For Photo Shoot

A New Zealand-compliant photography services agreement outlining terms, rights, and obligations for professional photo shoots.

Download

Location Release Form

A New Zealand-compliant legal agreement granting permission to use a specific location for filming or photography purposes, subject to local property laws and regulations.

Download

ұԾ’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it