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I was on Papakowhai Road, turning right into Whitford Brown (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6g4h4PKtVaa38QuEA).

I am stopped at a give way sign. Turning right, there are two available lanes. The left lane is Whitford Brown Rd proper. The right lane starts at that intersection.

A yellow car was coming down Whitford Brown Rd (the left lane), and not indicating any intention to turn right or change lanes. As the right lane is empty (only starts at that intersection) I moved through the intersection and into the right hand lane.

The yellow car then moved in behind me, very close, and the driver proceeded to abuse me for "pulling in front of him".

What are the rules governing this type of intersection? My belief is that as the lane is empty, I am free to enter it (similar to moving onto a flush median if it is available), and that both I and the other vehicle then have obligations to indicate and ensure any lane change is safe. Specifically, I do not believe that I have to wait until there is no traffic whatsoever before moving into that available right hand lane.

Can you provide some advice on this specific example, as my research of the road rules is inconclusive.
Rule 2.3(2)(b) says the yellow car has to make sure before changing lanes that the "manoeuvre may be made safely" and
The road code says to turn into the closest lane on a multi lane road but
Rule 4.1(2) says that I "must give way to any vehicles that are approaching or crossing the place".

This intersection backs up horribly because no one makes use of that generally free right hand lane. To date I have been assuming that an unused lane does not trigger the give way rule since as there is no vehicle in that lane, there is nothing there to give way to, and the other car has to both indicate and make sure a lane change can be executed safely.

What is the official advice please?

Hi there,
By looking at the road on the maps you'll see that the Whitford Brown road has a solid white line which turns to dotted as it approaches the intersection. Both types of marking have the same meaning, but I have read that a solid white line is used to give warning of pedestrian crossings, intersections, on curves, at the edge of a road, or wherever emphasis is needed to remind you to stay in your lane. To me this would indicate that a defined lane is created of which safe crossing is not advised until it becomes dotted. As you are pulling out into a dedicated lane created for vehicle pulling out, and then crossing into the LH to make a turn at the dotted markings (where it could be considered safer).

So are you confirming that my manoeuvre is valid?

I pull into the area ahead of the turning bay and bounded by the solid white line, and then generally continue in that lane at about 20-30kph while indicating left until I can safely change into the left lane.

The yellow car (coming from Okowai Rd) should not expect to have unimpeded access to the right hand lane?

Hi there,
I can't see anything specifically in the rules that says they can change whenever they want. The oncoming cars are in a totally different lane as they approach the intersection and must use the same lane change rules as all other motorists.