Overview
We are one of the few New Zealand major law firms with dedicated property teams in each of our Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offices. With that capacity, our team provides a full range of property law services throughout New Zealand, combining practical local knowledge with national expertise and depth.
In each of our offices we have dedicated specialist teams for:
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Acquisitions and divestments
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Portfolio leasing
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Build and lease
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Property Development and urban regeneration
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Real estate finance
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Local Government and Public Works
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Insolvency and workout
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Rental Arbitrations and disputes.
In addition to the wide range of commercial property expertise outlined, the firm continues to maintain its place as one of the few full service national law firms advising individuals on personal property matters. Our personal services team advise on a diverse range of personal property matters including all types of conveyancing, preparation of wills, administration of estates, estate and trust planning, relationship property and the law relating to the elderly.
Our clients include listed and private companies, the managers of listed property funds, utilities, multinationals, local and central government bodies, financiers, educational institutes, Crown-owned or partly owned entities, developers, foreign pension funds and private investors.
"Accomplished team with a broad-ranging practice and a full-service property and construction offering across their three offices."
Chambers and Partners
"Buddle Findlay is 'one of the most highly regarded firms, with a team that is willing to advise on risks as well as legal matters'."
Legal 500
Work highlights
Advising Infratil Infrastructure Property and Auckland Council
on the redevelopment of the New Lynn town centre including joint venture arrangements and the design, build and lease of multi-level buildings
Advising New Zealand Property Partners
(a joint venture between Goldman Sachs and Brookfield) in the purchase of 22 loans (mainly in default) totalling NZ$1.3b from Bank of Scotland International
Acting for Wellington International Airport and Christchurch International Airport
in commercial and land-related transactions ranging from Public Works Act offer back issues, airport terminal building development and commercial tendering, leasing and contract negotiations
Undertaking significant property work
including numerous development agreements and anchor-tenant leasings for the state sector for Treasury, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Conservation, Department of Building and Housing, National Library, Archives New Zealand, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Economic Development, Airways Corporation of New Zealand, various District Health Boards and Massey University
Advising Ernst and Young
on the development agreements and leases for their new Auckland high rise offices
Advising German pension funds HIH Global Immobilien GmbH and Real Estate Neuseeland GmbH
in relation to portfolio leasing and property management in respect of various Auckland office towers it owns
Our team

Charlotte von Dadelszen
Partner, Wellington
Board of Management
Charlotte specialises in leasing, construction and land-related property advice. She has been involved in the development…
- DDI +64 4 462 0508
- M +64 21 915 737

Daniel Kelleher
Partner, Auckland
Daniel specialises in property law and has extensive experience in property sector, corporate, banking and commercial transactions…
- DDI +64 9 358 7022
- M +64 21 618 535

John Buchan
Partner, Christchurch
John specialises in corporate and commercial law and in particular, commercial property. He acts on a wide range of transactions…
- DDI +64 3 371 3504
- M +64 21 900 124

Julia Gabrielle
Partner, Christchurch
Julia specialises in general commercial and corporate law, banking and finance and commercial and residential property…
- DDI +64 3 371 3521
- M +64 27 683 4373

Stephen Whittington
Partner, Wellington
Stephen specialises in negotiation and documentation of commercial property transactions, development and construction advice…
- DDI +64 4 498 7329
- M +64 21 845 530

Terence Ng
Partner, Auckland
Terence specialises in banking and finance, corporate and commercial, and property law.…
- DDI +64 9 363 0688
- M +64 21 281 2688

Tom Bennett
Partner, Auckland
Tom specialises in real estate, construction, procurement and local government.…
- DDI +64 9 363 0665
- M +64 21 622 228