Property

Peter Barrett

Partner

Peter is a Partner with a wealth of experience and an excellent track record of providing advice on commercial and property matters. He understands his clients’ commercial and strategic perspectives, and his background in dispute resolution helps him solve complex problems in innovative ways.

Peter routinely works with clients to provide sound advice with buying and selling businesses, franchising and IP licensing, commercial, retail and industrial property transactions and restructuring and financing (borrowers and lenders).

Peter focuses on providing excellent commercial solutions and protecting assets for business owners and future generations.

In addition, Peter has been a member of the boards for several charities and is also an exponent of continuing professional development.

Richard Caughley

Partner

Richard is a property law expert who is responsive and can assist you to efficiently achieve your goals while minimising the risk. He is head of Morrison Kent’s property law team and advises on all areas of property law.

Richard is a trustee of the Nikau Foundation, the community foundation for the Greater Wellington Region. He is also on the grants and scholarships committee of the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation, which supports legal research, education and scholarships.

Experience

Richard has significant experience acting on the sale and purchase of commercial property, property syndication; is an advisor to institutional, government and private sector clients on property investments and developments; advises on all aspects of leasing transactions; and has provided advice to many of New Zealand’s listed property companies.

Tessa Doherty

Partner

Tessa is a property law expert who works with a range of different clients from first homes buyers to large businesses and corporations.

Tessa understands the different needs of each client, provides practical solutions and is able to ‘think outside the box’. She is responsive, ensuring that your expectations, timeframes and deadlines are met.

Experience

Tessa’s experience includes major commercial, residential and unit title subdivisions; managing the legal part of the sell down of subdivisions; providing advice on retail, office and industrial leasing; undertaking legal due diligence for the sale and purchase of properties; and providing advice on unit title matters. Tessa is integral to the Morrison Kent Property law team consistently providing excellent advice and timely, proactive legal services.

Murray Harden

Partner

Murray is a property law expert with considerable experience. He advises clients (including commercial developers) on substantial projects in Wellington and throughout New Zealand. Murray has been part of the core Willis Bond team of advisers for 20 years. He is a problem solver who adds values to property transactions.

Experience

Murray is the key legal adviser on projects including on the acquisition of Queens Wharf Retail Centre, the Chews Lane development, and the Clyde Quay Wharf and One Market Lane developments. Murray also has experience in the sale and purchase of property, property syndication and joint ventures, subdivisions, waterfront development issues, and all aspects of leasing.

Jamie Nunns

Partner

Jamie is an expert in property, trusts and business law. He advises clients on an ongoing basis in relation to their projects, businesses or developments. Jamie is responsive and provides practical solutions that can assist you to achieve your commercial goals. He is renowned as a field leader in property law.

Experience

Jamie’s property law experience has seen him acting for some of New Zealand’s largest and most respected organisations in relation to property related matters.  Jamie has been involved with some of New Zealand’s best-known property developments and projects, and he enjoys working with organisations of all different sizes from multi-nationals to individually owned and run small businesses.

His experience includes large-scale acquisitions or disposals; Overseas Investment Act applications; all types of leasing; complex subdivisions and developments; unit title and other shared ownership structures; and forestry acquisitions and disposals.

As well as acting for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses, Jamie acts for utility and infrastructure corporations and also for resort, lifestyle and accommodation facility providers on specialised matters. He also has significant experience in resolving complex property issues.

Natalie Smith

Partner

Natalie has broad experience advising on a range of commercial, trust and property issues. She is focused on building lasting, trusting relationships with her clients, and strives to provide practical and pragmatic advice. Natalie’s commercial insight enables her to advise clients on their day to day business affairs and any associated legal issues or requirements.

Natalie’s expertise includes general aspects of corporate and commercial law such as corporate governance, shareholder agreements and arrangements, advising on business sales and acquisitions and asset financing. Natalie’s clients appreciate her professional advice about the strategies available to protect their personal assets.

Natalie also routinely advises on complex commercial and residential property transactions.

In 2017 Natalie was elected onto the board of Triathlon New Zealand.

Andrew Stewart

Partner

Andrew is an expert in business, trusts and estates, and property law. Andrew establishes and maintains long-term client relationships. He is a trusted adviser for numerous private and commercial clients.

Experience

Andrew’s wealth of experience includes corporate governance, business structures, commercial contracts, and all areas of trusts and estates law. Andrew was the principal legal adviser to the Creative HQ business incubator, advising business start-ups, from 2003 to 2014 and advised on the establishment of the Lightning Lab business accelerator. Andrew acts for a significant number of private clients, including as a trustee of their family trusts. He also provides advice on film finance to NZ-based film producers and funders including NZ Film Commission’s film production grants schemes.

Matthew Whimp

Partner

Matthew is an expert in business, property and trust law. He has a wealth of experience in these areas including extensive transactional experience and in construction law. Matthew is able to identify and manage risks early, and to find practical solutions for clients.

Experience

Matthew’s recent experience includes establishing private equity investment vehicles for significant property acquisitions and developments in New Zealand; acting for the developer on the construction contract for one of Wellington’s most innovative and complex construction projects; acting for the Office of Treaty Settlements in relation to settlement deeds and various land and property matters; and advising on structuring in relation to property transactions for closely held businesses.

Kristin Bruce

Senior Associate

Kristin advises on all areas of property law. She acts for large businesses and corporations, small to medium businesses, government agencies and individuals and families.

Kristin will provide you with responsive advice and practical solutions. She establishes and maintains strong long term relationships with clients.

Experience

Kristin’s experience includes advising on the Chews Lane, Clyde Quay Wharf and 1 Market Lane developments in Wellington; advising on large scale commercial and residential property acquisitions, developments, subdivisions and disposals, providing advice on the Unit Titles Act; advising on retail, office and industrial leasing matters; and advising government agencies in relation to various Treaty of Waitangi matters.

Zaneta Easter

Senior Associate

Zaneta is a property law specialist. She acts for a variety of clients ranging from large businesses and corporations to individuals and families. Zaneta is responsive and proactive, she will provide you with practical solutions in plain language and ensure your timeframes are met.

Experience

Zaneta’s experience includes acquisitions and disposals of residential and commercial property; legal due diligence; large-scale property developments and subdivisions; unit title advice; advising and negotiating residential and commercial building contracts, leasing (office, retail and industrial), grant of easements and general contract advice.

Laura McEwen

Senior Associate

Laura works with a range of clients from individuals purchasing their first home through to companies that are completing large-scale developments.  In addition to this Laura also assists clients with asset protection and estate administration practices such as the establishment of trusts and preparation of Wills and enduring powers of attorney.  She is responsive and will work with you in a timely manner to ensure that your expectations are met and the best possible outcome is achieved.

Experience

Laura’s experience includes completing residential and commercial property transactions; residential and unit title subdivisions and developments; legal due diligence; the grant of easements; advising on residential build contracts; trust establishment; preparation of Wills and enduring powers of attorney.

Erica Tromp

Senior Associate

Erica is a property law expert who works closely with clients and as required, their consultants and other advisors on projects. She is proactive, responsive and provides excellent advice. Erica builds and maintains long-term client relationships, is a trusted adviser to her clients and is well connected in the property industry. Erica has property law experience in both New Zealand and Australia.

Experience

Erica’s experience includes acting on large commercial leasing projects (involving new builds and
major refurbishments); leasing; acquisitions, disposals and developments; acting for government agencies and local governments; undertaking property and lease due diligence; resolving property disputes; acting for port operators in New Zealand and Australia; and providing specialist advice including to service station operators and in relation to social housing and student accommodation.

Frederick Dunphy

Associate

Frederick specialises in property, business and trust law. Frederick is responsible for a range of work including residential and commercial transactions, asset protection, residential developments and financing of transactions.

Frederick is highly responsive and personable and is happy to discuss your needs over the phone or in-person when it suits you.

Experience

Frederick’s recent experience includes refinancing, sale and purchase of residential and commercial properties, undertaking legal, due diligence, asset protection, and assisting with residential subdivisions and developments. Frederick also has experience with Wills, trusts and powers of attorney.

Lisa Kiteley

Associate

Lisa is a property lawyer with experience in both New Zealand and England. Lisa works with various clients, from individuals purchasing their first home to companies working on significant-scale projects. She provides clients with practical solutions in an efficient and friendly manner.

Experience

Lisa’s experience includes residential and commercial property transactions, subdivisions, financing, developments and all stages of legal due diligence. Lisa also advises on turnkey agreements, matters relating to Bodies Corporate and residential build contracts.

Helen Nathan

Partner

Helen is an expert commercial and property lawyer and leads the Morrison Kent Rotorua team. Helen has been practising law in Rotorua since 1991.  She has a particular interest in assisting Māori Trusts and Incorporations and Māori Business development including advising a number of Post Settlement Entities on matters ranging from structures and governance to commercial and property development transactions. 

Experience

Helen takes a practical solutions-based approach to legal issues to achieve sustainable outcomes for her clients. Helen regularly provides specialist advice in respect of corporate structuring, governance commercial contracts, finance and securities, business acquisition and restructuring and property development and Māori Fisheries Act matters.

Helen has also served as a trustee on a number of Rotorua local, not for profit organisations and was a founding trustee of the Geyser Community Foundation in Rotorua.

Evan Whetton

Associate

Evan is a commercial and property lawyer in Morrison Kent’s Rotorua office. Before joining Morrison Kent, Evan practised in an Auckland law firm in their Property and Commercial Property teams. He looks to provide clients with practical, cost-effective advice and solutions.

Experience

Evan’s experience includes working with a wide range of clients in relation to the sale and purchase of commercial and residential property (both existing and off the plans), commercial leasing arrangements, rural subdivisions and the sale and purchase of businesses.

Nicola Brazendale

Senior Solicitor

Nicola is a property and commercial lawyer in Morrison Kent’s Rotorua office. After obtaining her law degree from Auckland University Law School, Nicola has committed to helping her clients plan for the future.

Experience

From trust structures and wills to enduring powers of attorney and estate administration, Nicola provides guidance during difficult times, making the process straightforward and easy. When it comes to asset planning, Nicola assists clients in finding personalized solutions that work for them and their families

Kate Lloyd

Registered Legal Executive

Kate works with a wide range of clients in our Rotorua office. Kate routinely provides high-quality and cost-efficient assistance with estate administration and residential property transactions. 

Experience

Kates experience includes working with her clients to obtain probate and letters of administration for estates, all aspects of residential conveyancing, including preparing sale and purchase agreements, reviewing records of title, and providing advice to clients. She also assists with refinancing for both residential and commercial clients.

Lynette Matthews

Legal Executive

Lynette is a legal executive in our Rotorua-based Property and Commercial team. Lynette works closely with Evan and Helen to provide efficient conveyancing services. 

Experience

Lynette has vast property knowledge with many years of legal experience in all aspects of residential conveyancing. Lynette is responsible for a variety of work, including refinancing and preparing sale and purchase agreements for residential and commercial property. 

Lynette also has experience with wills, estate matters and enduring powers of attorney.

Lynette is very client focused – she delivers a personal touch to every client relationship and works hard to obtain the best possible results for her clients.