[2026] NZIACDT 28, GX v Huang (Cook Huang)

“Sanctions / adviser failed to disclose and obtain written consent to a conflict of interest and charged excessive fee / Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, s3, s50, s51 / Code of Conduct 2014, cl1, cl5, cl6, cl14, cl17b, cl18b, cl19l / adviser found to be in breach of eight professional obligations / undisclosed conflict and excessive fee identified as most serious / fee of approximately $16,000 deemed grossly excessive / fee reflected a lack of appreciation of setting a reasonable fee in New Zealand market / conflict of interest did not provide undisclosed financial advantage to adviser and had no detriment to client / adviser’s third appearance / reputational damage from earlier decision and related proceedings not significant factor in context of adviser’s retirement before publication / complainant entitled to refund, balance of extravagant compensation sought dismissed / adviser censured, fined $4,000 (reflecting totality of sanctions) and ordered to refund $1,588”