Ƶ

Retainer Fee Agreement for New Zealand

Retainer Fee Agreement Template for New Zealand

A Retainer Fee Agreement is a formal contract governed by New Zealand law that establishes an ongoing professional services arrangement where one party (the service provider) commits to providing specified services to another party (the client) in exchange for a regular, predetermined fee. The agreement details the scope of services, payment terms, obligations of both parties, and includes provisions compliant with New Zealand's Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, Fair Trading Act 1986, and other relevant legislation. It provides a framework for long-term professional relationships while ensuring clarity in service delivery and payment arrangements.

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

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your docs

4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

What is a Retainer Fee Agreement?

The Retainer Fee Agreement is essential for businesses and professionals in New Zealand seeking to establish long-term service arrangements with predictable fee structures. This document is particularly useful when regular, ongoing services are required and both parties benefit from a stable, committed relationship. The agreement typically includes detailed service specifications, payment terms, and performance expectations, all structured within New Zealand's legal framework. It provides certainty for both service providers and clients by establishing clear terms for regular payment in exchange for guaranteed service availability. Common applications include legal services, consulting arrangements, marketing services, and other professional services where consistent access to expertise is valuable. The document ensures compliance with New Zealand contract law while providing flexibility to accommodate specific service requirements and industry standards.

What sections should be included in a Retainer Fee Agreement?

1. Parties: Identification of the service provider and the client, including full legal names and contact details

2. Background: Context of the agreement and brief description of why the parties are entering into this retainer arrangement

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement defined for clarity and consistency

4. Scope of Services: Detailed description of the services covered under the retainer arrangement

5. Retainer Fee Structure: Details of the retainer fee amount, what it covers, and any additional charges

6. Payment Terms: Payment schedule, method of payment, and handling of additional charges

7. Term and Renewal: Duration of the agreement and conditions for renewal

8. Obligations of Service Provider: Responsibilities and commitments of the service provider

9. Client Responsibilities: Obligations and commitments required from the client

10. Confidentiality: Provisions regarding the handling of confidential information

11. Termination: Conditions and process for terminating the agreement

12. General Provisions: Standard contractual terms including governing law, notices, and entire agreement

What sections are optional to include in a Retainer Fee Agreement?

1. Intellectual Property: Include when services involve creation or use of intellectual property

2. Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation: Add when protection against competition or client solicitation is needed

3. Insurance and Liability: Include when specific insurance requirements or liability limitations need to be addressed

4. Force Majeure: Add when protection against unforeseen circumstances is particularly important

5. Dispute Resolution: Include when specific dispute resolution procedures are preferred

6. Assignment: Add when transfer of rights needs to be specifically addressed

7. Data Protection: Include when personal data processing is involved

8. Reporting Requirements: Add when regular reporting of work or progress is required

What schedules should be included in a Retainer Fee Agreement?

1. Schedule 1 - Detailed Service Description: Comprehensive list and description of services covered under the retainer

2. Schedule 2 - Fee Schedule: Detailed breakdown of fees, including retainer amount and additional service charges

3. Schedule 3 - Service Level Agreement: Specific performance metrics and service standards

4. Schedule 4 - Key Personnel: List of key team members assigned to provide the services

5. Appendix A - Communication Protocol: Procedures for regular communication and reporting

6. Appendix B - Additional Terms and Conditions: Any additional terms specific to the services or industry

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents

Jurisdiction

New Zealand

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Retainer Agreement

Cost

Free to use

Find the exact document you need

Executive Retention Agreement

A New Zealand law-governed agreement designed to retain key executive personnel through specified incentives and conditions.

Download

Employer Paid Training Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement outlining terms for employer-funded training, including employee obligations and repayment conditions.

Download

Marketing Retainer Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement establishing terms for ongoing marketing services between a service provider and client, including scope, payments, and delivery standards.

Download

Contractor Retainer Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing terms for ongoing contractor services on a retainer basis.

Download

Limited Retainer Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement defining limited-scope legal services between a lawyer/law firm and client, establishing clear boundaries and obligations.

Download

Graphic Design Retainer Contract

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing an ongoing relationship between a graphic designer and client for regular design services.

Download

Construction Retainer Agreement

New Zealand-governed agreement establishing ongoing construction services relationship between contractor and client under retainer arrangement.

Download

Retainer Letter

A New Zealand-compliant legal document establishing the terms of engagement between a law firm and client, including scope of services and fee arrangements.

Download

Employee Retainer Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant employment agreement establishing a retainer arrangement with guaranteed minimum hours or compensation, suitable for ongoing professional engagements.

Download

Professional Services Retainer Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing terms for ongoing professional services between a service provider and client.

Download

Flat Fee Agreement

A New Zealand-compliant agreement establishing a fixed-price arrangement for specified services between a service provider and client.

Download

Freelance Retainer Contract

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing a retainer arrangement between a client and freelancer, defining ongoing service provision and payment terms.

Download

Retainer Fee Agreement

A New Zealand-governed agreement establishing an ongoing professional service arrangement with regular retainer payments.

Download

Retainer Contract

A New Zealand-compliant agreement establishing terms for ongoing professional services provision under a retainer arrangement.

Download
See more related templates

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