Qualifications
BCom, LLB, University of Otago
Admitted
2006, New Zealand
Tessa specialises in commercial property law, advising both domestic and offshore clients on a range of complex property transactions and overseas investment regulatory requirements.
Her experience includes the acquisition and disposal of commercial properties, build and lease contracts for industrial and commercial projects, and significant residential, tourism and infrastructure developments. Tessa’s experience covers all areas of property, including industrial, forestry, office, golf course developments, energy projects (solar, geothermal and wind), healthcare, retail, apartments, residential land subdivisions, farming and vineyards.
Tessa is an expert in New Zealand’s overseas investment regime and regularly secures Overseas Investment Act (OIA) consents for her clients. She has served on the Overseas Investment Office legal reference group and contributed to multiple reviews of the regime.
Tessa is recognised for her expertise by Chambers Asia Pacific.
Recent highlights
- Advising Evolution Healthcare on the development of the new Anglesea Hospital orthopaedic project, the sale and leaseback of Grace Hospital in Tauranga and the redevelopment and leasing at Royston, Bowen and Wakefield hospitals.
- Advising Aventuur on all aspects of New Zealand’s first surf park development, part of a 42-hectare mixed-use project comprising a surf lagoon, data centre, solar farm, town centre and more than 500 homes.
- Advising Tara Iti Family Office on the acquisition, OIA consents and development and investor structuring for Tara Iti and Te Arai Links, including the world-class golf courses, associated facilities and visitor accommodation.
- Advising Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa’s commercial arm on the acquisition, development, and staged sale of 8.88 hectares of land, including Crown agreements for a nine-stage development of more than 370 homes and the sale of a superlot to Simplicity Living for a build-to-rent project.
- Acting for PAG on the establishment of a partnership with Precinct Properties for the $240m acquisition of 40 and 44 Bowen Street in Wellington.
- Advising the InfraRed and Northleaf consortium on the property and OIA consent aspects of its $1.7b acquisition of Vodafone’s cellular tower network.
- Assisting Eastland Group on a variety of projects, including the redevelopment and long-term leasing of Gisborne Airport, its marina operations, the sale of its lines business, the property aspects of the TOPP1 geothermal power station, and the development of the TOPP2 geothermal power station.
Affiliations
- Member of the Property Council of New Zealand
