About

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Our Real Estate team is a go-to adviser for New Zealand’s most significant and complex property transactions. Known for technical excellence and commercial acumen, the team delivers pragmatic, future-focused solutions across acquisitions, divestments, development, leasing, overseas investment, and infrastructure. With a strong base of property-focused clients and deep sector knowledge, the team navigates regulatory frameworks and market trends to support strategic outcomes nationwide.

Recent work highlights

  • Heritage Hotels | Advised on a strategic partnership with TFE Hotels to manage five properties, navigating a complex mixed ownership model and bespoke hotel agreements to unlock long-term value.
  • Channel Infrastructure | Advised on real estate aspects of its biorefinery agreement with Seadra Energy at Marsden Point, developing a precedent-setting lease addressing infrastructure, utilities, and health and safety.
  • Ministry of Education | Advised on the sale and leaseback of 27 school sites to Ngāti Toa Rangātira under its Deed of Settlement, involving bespoke lease variations and Crown land compliance.
  • Climate Asset Management | Advised on its first NZ investment – acquiring the country’s only significant redwood plantation – covering forestry law, Overseas Investment Office consent, and bespoke commercial contracts.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate - New Zealand

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

MinterEllisonRuddWatts offers a multidisciplinary practice with recognised skill across acquisitions and divestments, major development projects and overseas investment approvals. The firm is also often engaged to assist with large and complex leasing agreements. The team handles property portfolios for a wide range of clients, encompassing businesses, government and indigenous landowners.

Work Highlights

  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts assisted the Ministry of Education with the sale and leaseback of over 80 hectares of land, comprising 27 school sites, valued at approximately NZD174 million.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

David Gilbert
4
David Gilbert
Head of Real Estate
4
Band 4
David Gilbert leads the firm's real estate practice group and is frequently engaged by clients to advise in relation to capital transactions, including acquisitions and disposals in the commercial and hospitality sectors.

David's commercial acumen is acute and his advice has never been found wanting. We use David for the more complex contracts.

It's always a pleasure to work with David Gilbert. He is always contactable and quick to provide solutions.

5
Amanda Spratt
5
Band 5

Amanda Spratt is noted for her advice to property companies, real estate investors and global corporations on property transactions, developments, leasing and redevelopment projects.

Amanda is astute, professional, commercial and practical. She is always a pleasure to deal with.

Amanda is fantastic. She is meticulous, sharp and fiercely committed to protecting her client's interests at every stage of a transaction.

Holly Hill
5
Holly Hill
5
Band 5

Holly Hill is a partner based in the firm's Wellington office. She has a wide-ranging real estate practice that includes commercial leasing, as well as development and property acquisition work.

Holly has always been extremely beneficial to our ways of working. Her skill level in the property market is truly amazing.

Holly is responsive, knowledgeable and accessible.

Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

New Zealand

Real Estate

David Gilbert
4
David Gilbert
Head of Real Estate
4
Band 4
5
Amanda Spratt
5
Band 5
Holly Hill
5
Holly Hill
5
Band 5

Members

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Amanda Spratt

David Gilbert

David Gilbert

Head of Department

Jennifer Campbell

Katrine Kofoed

Miles Dean

Victoria Tatum

Clients

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

ANZ

Argosy Property

Bupa Care Services New Zealand

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

Global Forest Partners

IKEA New Zealand

Kiwi Property Group

Metlifecare

Milford Asset Management

Precinct Properties

Stride Prop & Stride Invest Mgmt

Westpac Investments

Z Energy