Anthony Harper’s ‘timely, responsive and personable’ real estate team regularly advises on commercial development projects, capital markets transactions involving the acquisition and disposal of office blocks, shopping malls and retail centres, and leasing matters. In the firm’s Christchurch office, practice leader Tim Barclay ‘offers the rare combination of sound legal knowledge, good communication skills and an excellent commercial sense to boot’, when advising clients on a range of commercial property matters. The ‘efficient construction team’ is led by Auckland-based Ed Dunphy, who acts for leading domestic construction companies, principals and contractors, and experience commercial litigator Karen Kemp, who represents clients in construction risk management litigation. In Christchurch, Daniel French focuses on subdivisions, commercial leasing and unit titles, while Auckland-based Tim Bunker is praised as ‘an excellent lawyer who goes the extra distance’. Christchurch-based senior associate Jessica Hanning is another key contact.

Clients have a ‘high degree of confidence’ in Bell Gully’s sizeable real estate and construction practice, which has a strong track record in high-value acquisitions and disposals, transformative infrastructure and development projects, and leasing matters. Karl Anderson leads the real estate practice, and Andrew Petersen advises on overseas investments in New Zealand, while Jane Holland is noted for her expertise in commercial leasing and development projects. Praised for its ‘strong litigation expertise’, the construction team is well-placed to advise on the full spectrum of contentious matters, in addition to construction and infrastructure projects and contract negotiations. Wellington-based David Chisnall, who specialises in the structuring, procurement and delivery of public and private sector construction and development projects, jointly leads the construction team alongside Ian Becke, who ‘has strong experience, both in New Zealand and Australia, across a variety of projects and in all phases of construction’. Wellington-based Toni Forrest, Jesse Wilson and Brad Ward are further key contacts in the team, while Simon Ladd left the firm to join Shortland Chambers in December 2021. All named practitioners are based in the Auckland office, unless stated otherwise.

Dentons Kensington Swan regularly advises central government bodies, local authorities, domestic contractors, and multinational corporates on major transportation, infrastructure and property development construction contracts, and counts high-value property portfolio acquisitions and disposals, as well as retail, office and industrial leasing matters, in its workload. In the firm’s Auckland office, head of real estate Matthew Ockleston has considerable experience acting for public sector clients in transport infrastructure projects, while Stuart Robertson spearheads the major projects and construction group and advises clients on a range projects, in addition to multi-party claims and construction disputes. In Wellington, Paul Holth and Ish Fraser are key contacts in the real estate team, along with Auckland-based Paula Ormandy and Michelle Hill, while Paul Buetow advises on transport, water and energy infrastructure projects from the firm’s Auckland office.

DLA Piper New Zealand continues to consolidate its ‘strength in the New Zealand market by leveraging the firm’s wider international experience’, as demonstrated by its advice on the domestic aspects of cross-border acquisitions and disposals, as well as development projects. National head of real estate Justin March manages the property portfolios of domestic and multinational corporates, while Heath Brunton has a ‘strong depth of experience’ in designing build lease agreements for office and industrial premises, in addition to advising on residential developments and mixed-use schemes. Mark Williamson, who leads the construction team, is praised for his ‘high level of knowledge and expertise’ in procurement and construction matters arising out of local government, retail and food manufacturing sectors. All named partners are based in the firm’s Auckland office.

Praised for its ‘excellent knowledge and niche capabilities’, Hesketh Henry is strong in contentious construction mandates, while also advising on commercial property acquisitions and disposals, subdivisions and leasing matters. Head of construction Nick Gillies ‘provides highly considered advice’ on the full range of construction matters, from time and money disputes and building defect claims to contract work, while Glen Holm-Hansen is praised for his ‘in-depth understanding in construction law’. Robert Berry, who has notable expertise in ground leases both historical and contemporary, jointly leads the real estate team alongside Brian Coburn, who advises on commercial office developments. Other key members of the practice include prominent litigators Helen Macfarlane and Christina Bryant, Jacintha Tan, and senior associate Sarah Holderness.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ real estate and construction practices exemplify ‘excellent knowledge’ across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters, from high-value acquisitions, portfolio management and commercial leasing to major infrastructure projects and construction-related disputes. Head of real estate David Gilbert handles the acquisition, development and disposal of land, retail premises and office complexes, while Andrew Monteith has experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and consultant Ross Pickmere advises on a broad range of commercial property deals. Janine Stewart, who regularly acts on matters relating to defective buildings, as well as landlord and tenant obligations and rent review disputes, jointly leads the construction team alongside Travis Tomlinson, who focuses on public sector construction projects and capital works programs. Other key members of the team include infrastructure specialist Sarah Sinclair, expert construction litigator Stephen Price and Mark Crosbie. All named practitioners are based in the firm’s Auckland office.

Russell McVeagh is praised for its ‘exceptional expertise in the real estate space’, as demonstrated by its advice on large-scale development projects and subdivisions, capital markets transactions, acquisitions and sales, as well as leasing arrangements. ‘Excellent operator’ Ed Crook chairs the national property and construction practice - including the equally capable front-end construction practice - and specialises in commercial property developments, sales and leasing matters, in addition to associated construction and finance work. Polly Pope spearheads the construction litigation group, acting for principals, financiers, contractors, subcontractors and consultants on a broad range of disputes, while David Butler provides ‘invaluable’ advice on real estate capital markets transactions and development projects. ‘Extremely practical’ Anna Crosbie focuses on acquisitions, residential developments and leasing matters, while construction litigators Michael Taylor and Sarah Blackmore are also key contacts. All named practitioners are based in the firm’s Auckland office.

Tompkins Wake’s ‘commercially astute’ real estate practice advises local government authorities, developers and investors, property funds and private sector clients on development projects, acquisitions and disposals, as well as leasing matters. Scott Ratuki, who has experience in large-scale commercial developments and subdivisions, jointly leads the practice alongside Peter Duncan, who specialises in local government property mandates. In November 2021, Andrew Orme left for Lane Neave, while Rotorua-based Catriona Gordon joined the firm following its merger with Lava Law. Other key members of the team include Peter Fanning, who focuses on development projects, subdivisions and land acquisitions, Kate Searancke and Campbell Stewart. All named practitioners are based in the firm’s Hamilton office, unless stated otherwise.