Mr Matthew Ockleston > Dentons New Zealand > Auckland, New Zealand > Lawyer Profile

Mr Matthew Ockleston

+64 9 915 3350 matthew.ockleston@dentons.com View profile

Work Department

Property, Public law

Position

Partner

Career

Matthew is a partner in our property team and is the Managing Partner of our Auckland office. He has nearly 20 years’ experience, particularly with the Public Works Act, infrastructure projects and public law.

As a Public Works Act specialist, Matthew is uniquely positioned to advise government agencies on the property issues associated with large infrastructure projects, in particular the acquisition of land for new roads and the assessment of compensation. He has acted for the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on almost every major State Highway project in the North Island since 2004, including the Waterview Connection, Wellington Northern Corridor, Waikato Expressway and Auckland Northern Corridor Improvements, as well as the $3.4 billion Auckland City Rail Link.

He is a Leading Individual for Real Estate & Construction in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and highly recommended in two further categories. Clients note his expertise and describe him as ‘highly experienced and respected’ for Public Works Act matters. Matthew won the Most Client Focussed Lawyer award at the 2018 Financial Review Client Choice Awards, recognising his commitment to providing an unbeatable client experience.

Matthew advises on a range of matters, from helping to negotiate and settle the acquisition of land for public works, to providing strategic advice on how to manage the acquisition process and deal with compensation and compulsory acquisition. At the other end of the spectrum, he also advises on property management and disposal issues, including the various government disposal processes and statutory obligations. He has a strong understanding of how the Resource Management Act and planning matters interact with property issues.

He also advises overseas clients on the acquisition of land in New Zealand and the processes under the Overseas Investment Act to obtain consent where necessary.

Languages

English

Memberships

New Zealand Law Society – Property Law Section

Resource Management Law Association of New Zealand Inc.

Education

LLB, (Hons) University of Auckland (2000), BCom, University of Auckland (2000)

Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (2001)