Karyn Kenealy

Senior Associate Pouarataki Pāhake

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Karyn is a leading commercial property lawyer, bringing more than 16 years of deep expertise across the full spectrum of property and real estate.

Her practice spans retail and commercial leasing, property acquisitions and disposals, overseas investment in New Zealand property, Crown compulsory acquisitions, complex due diligence, development and subdivision projects, and associated property financing transactions.

Karyn partners with developers and landlords to bring their projects to life across the retail, commercial, industrial and government sectors. She manages large national property portfolios, guiding clients through every stage of their property transactions – from acquisitions and disposals, developments and redevelopments, to leasing. Her commercial leasing expertise also extends to advising tenants (commercial, corporate and government) on retail and office leases.

Karyn acts for a number of industry-leading clients across both the private and public sectors, spanning healthcare, education, retail, office, industrial and horticultural industries. Her key clients include the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Primary Industries, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Newcrest, Argosy, Booster NZ, and Oranga Tamariki.

Known for her meticulous eye for detail, Karyn excels at documenting complex arrangements and driving them through to completion. She is a trusted adviser who becomes an integral member of her clients' project teams, combining deep technical knowledge with a practical, solutions-focused approach.

Genuinely passionate about property, Karyn thrives when working closely with clients to achieve their goals in the most straightforward and practical way. She invests in understanding each client's business and objectives, building strong, lasting relationships. Karyn is hands-on by nature – she takes pride in seeing every project through from conception to completion.

Career highlights

Acting for the Ministry for Primary Industries in the acquisition of an 80-year bespoke registered leasehold interest for a new science, research and innovation facility. The project involves a significant Crown infrastructure investment with a projected cost exceeding NZD500 million, requiring careful structuring and documentation for a long-term, purpose-built legal structure.

Acting for NZX listed Fisher & Paykel Healthcare on its acquisition of a 104-hectare South Auckland property for development of a second campus to support long-term company growth plans, including managing the land acquisition and obtaining Overseas Investment Office consent.

Advising the Ministry of Education on complex property and leasing matters across its national portfolio of more than 2,000 state schools and kura, including acquisitions, leasing and licensing (including to ECEs and community groups), as well as solar panel and energy supply projects across a large, active Crown estate.

Acting for the Ministry of Education on implementing and registering te Tiriti o Waitangi settlement arrangements and leasebacks, including the landmark sale and leaseback of 67 school sites in the greater Wellington area to Ngāti Toa, completed in December 2024, requiring coordinated delivery across multiple sites and stakeholders.

Advising financial services company Booster NZ on the acquisition and ongoing management of significant industrial and horticultural property assets within its NZX-listed private land and property fund, valued at over NZD200 million, including a land swap with the Tasman District Council under the Public Works Act 1981, and ongoing asset management support.

Affiliations
  • Member, Property Law Section, New Zealand Law Society
  • Member, Auckland Women Lawyers Association
  • Member, Property Council New Zealand
Achievements and recognition
  • Tier 1 team, Real Estate, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
  • Chambers Asia-Pacific