Service

Property and Real Estate

Summary

The real estate sector is dynamic and complex, requiring expert legal advice to navigate the opportunities and challenges it presents. Whether you are a developer, investor, owner, tenant, lender or contractor, you need a trusted partner who can help you achieve your goals and protect your interests.

Our property and real estate team has the experience, knowledge and skills to handle any transaction or dispute in this sector. We offer comprehensive and tailored solutions for all aspects of property law, from planning and development to acquisition and disposal, from leasing and financing to construction and compliance. We work with you to understand your objectives and deliver practical and effective outcomes.

Key services

Acquisitions and disposals

Advising on buying and selling commercial property, including due diligence and contract negotiation through to settlement.

Leasing

Assisting landlords and tenants with drafting, reviewing and negotiating leases for various types of commercial property. Advising on rent reviews, lease renewals, assignments, subleases, alterations and disputes.

Development projects

Helping developers and investors with acquisition, financing, construction, planning, environmental, leasing and disposal matters for residential (including KiwiBuild), commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments. Advising on joint venture development projects, either on an incorporated or unincorporated basis, and on planning, compliance and resource management.

Land and subdivisions

Assisting clients with land acquisition, subdivision consent, title issues, easements, covenants, development contributions, land use consents and appeals, and sales of subdivided lots to end purchasers.

Infrastructure

Advising clients on various infrastructure projects, including road and rail construction, water and wastewater networks, telecommunications, ports and airports. Negotiating and drafting contracts, leases, easements, and other agreements related to infrastructure development and operation. Assisting with resource management and environmental issues, public works acquisitions, and dispute resolution.

Community housing

Advising community housing providers on their establishment, funding, procurement, development and compliance. We have acted for Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust since 2016 and Te Toi Mahana since 2023, supporting them in their delivery of quality, affordable and sustainable housing solutions for their communities.

Overseas investment

Advising foreign investors on the regulatory framework and approval process for investing in property in New Zealand, including involving sensitive land. Advising on the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) application process, including preparing consent applications, engaging with the OIO and other government agencies, and ensuring compliance with consent conditions.

Renewable energy

Advising clients on the development, financing, acquisition and disposal of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and geothermal. Preparing and reviewing agreements between developers and landowners, purchase agreements for development sites, investigation licences and option to lease/leasing arrangements.

Key people

Work Highlights

Acting for Argosy Property on the development and leasing of 8 Willis Street, a project voted the Supreme Winner at the 2024 Property Council Awards.
Acting for HIH in relation to the sale of its ground lease interests in the properties at 30 Mahuhu Crescent and 8 Tangihua Street, Quay Park, Auckland.
Acting for Te Toi Mahana, a community housing provider established by Wellington City Council, in respect of its 35 year lease of the Council's entire social housing portfolio comprising 1,700 homes.
Advising Woolworths on the sale and then on-sale of land in Christchurch for a new distribution centre.
Acting for Oaks Living on the large scale, 226-unit Coronation Gardens residential townhouse development (including KiwiBuild dwellings) in Māngere Bridge, Auckland.
Acting for Stonewood Group Limited on the development agreement and lease negotiations for a new 322 room Radisson Red hotel on Queen Street in Auckland's CBD.
Acting for Sanctuary Developments No 8 Limited in its luxury apartment development "The International" at Princes Street, Auckland CBD.
Acting for Mainland Capital on its purchase of a significant industrial portfolio in Christchurch and establishment of associated funds.
Acting for The One Property Group in its various residential townhouse developments in Te Atatū, New Lynn, Mt Wellington and Flatbush, Auckland.
Advising Urban Estates Ltd on the rezoning of rural land in the Selwyn District to accommodate the development of approximately 1500 new dwellings.