Andrew is a leading commercial property and infrastructure lawyer who specialises in major development and infrastructure projects.
He provides strategic legal advice to both private and public sector clients on all aspects of commercial property. His clients include the New Zealand Government, IKEA New Zealand, M&L Hospitality Group Marriott Inc., Tourism Holdings, and Brookfield DCI Datacentres.
Experienced in all forms of contract preparation and negotiation, Andrew assists with procurement strategy, bid evaluation and complex development arrangements, acquisitions and divestments. He has particular expertise in property due diligence, leasing, large scale developments and subdivisions, joint venture development arrangements, build-to-rent, and public works/public sector procurement. He is also an expert in New Zealand’s foreign direct investment regime, regularly acting for offshore investors who require consent under the Overseas Investment Act for acquisitions of interests in “sensitive land”.
Sought after by public sector clients to advise on their public/private development arrangements with private sector developers, Andrew acts for the lead Government housing agencies implementing the Government’s core housing affordability policy initiatives, as well as the current national “three water” reform and restructuring of New Zealand’s water assets.
In the private sector, Andrew acts for several significant commercial/retail portfolio owners, assisting them with all aspects of the management of their leasing portfolios, including agreements to lease, new leases, variations and renewals, surrenders, and enforcement actions.
Andrew is recognised in top legal directories, including The Legal 500 Asia Pacific’s Hall of Fame for Real Estate and Construction. Clients appreciate his strong analytical skills and his balanced, thoughtful, and pragmatic advice. He has been described by one client as “approachable, friendly, a problem-solver, who understands our business and provides practical advice” – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022. A compelling and strategic negotiator who deals efficiently with other parties, he is also praised as a lawyer who "understands the difference between what matters and what doesn't"- Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022.
Andrew is an Officer of the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Real Estate Committee.
Career highlights
Advising Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) we assisted in implementing the Land for Housing Programme by identifying suitable land, facilitating its transfer to HUD, negotiating development agreements with private sector developers, advising on clearance requirements and rights of first refusal, providing strategic legal advice, and ensuring consistent implementation of the programme.
Acting for the Ingka Group on its entry into the New Zealand market and the acquisition and development of its first flagship IKEA store in Auckland.
Acting for DCI Data Centers on its site procurement and datacentre developments in New Zealand.
Advising the Queenstown Lakes District Council on its transformational project to unlock and procure a $1 billion mixed use development in central Queenstown.
Affiliations
- Member, Property Council New Zealand (PCNZ)
- Member, Technical Advisors Panel
- Officer, Real Estate Committee, International Bar Association (IBA)
Achievements and recognition
- Hall of Fame, Real Estate, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Tier 1 team, Real Estate, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Recognised, Real Estate, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Recognised, Real Estate Law , Best Lawyers