Tara specialises in renewable energy, agribusiness (principally forestry and viticulture), the Emissions Trading Scheme, property development and commercial leasing (including complex design and build negotiations) as well as being an expert in New Zealand’s overseas investment regime.

She acts for both listed and unlisted companies and individuals as well as local authorities, providing advice in all areas of commercial real estate.

Tara is a specialist in the Overseas Investment Act and has been heavily involved in legislative change relating to the Overseas Investment Act including providing advice to Treasury.

Tara combines her extensive experience and knowledge in property law with her ability to understand clients’ key drivers and business concerns to provide commercial and practical advice.

Tara is a member of Women in Property, the Auckland Women’s Lawyer’s Association and the Overseas Investment Office’s Legal Reference Group.

Work Highlights

Overseas investment

Provides in-depth advice on overseas investment and has prepared a large number of successful overseas investment office applications including for Microsoft, Fletcher Building, Matariki Forests, Constellation Brands, Roxy-CES, Transdev, Repco and Graymont.

Renewable energy

Delivers expert advice on property issues for the renewable energy sector including leases, licences, easements and overseas investment advice for solar and wind farms, EV charging stations and related infrastructure.

Forestry and Emissions Trading Scheme

Assists forestry clients including Matariki Forests, New Zealand Carbon Farming and Comvita in land acquisitions, forestry rights, access arrangements and harvesting arrangements.  Advises forestry industry participants and carbon emitters on the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Land development, sales and acquisitions, leasing

Provides general commercial property advice including preparing development agreements, agreements for sale and purchase and leases for a range of clients including Fletcher Building, Auckland Council, Counties Energy, Microsoft, bp, Opal Packaging, Roxy-Pacific, Constellation Brands, Auckland University of Technology, Bunnings and Scentre Group (Westfield).

Due diligence

Undertaking due diligence investigations for both vendors and purchasers on one-off and large-scale portfolio transfers.

2degrees 

Acting for the telco on the real estate aspects of $1.076 billion sale of its passive cell phone tower assets to mobile tower company, Connexa.

Fletcher Residential

Advising on the acquisition and development of Ellerslie Racecourse.

Auckland Council / Panuku Development Auckland

America’s Cup 36 - providing strategic property advice and leading negotiations on Team Base leases and waterspace licences, arrangements with berth holders and the race village venue licence.

Roxy Pacific

Acquisition of 205 Queen St in Auckland for $174 million, Auckland's largest CBD deal since 2010, and NZI Building as well as ongoing property portfolio advice.

bp Oil New Zealand

Property advice for bp's New Zealand dealer operated sites and advising on bp’s sale and leaseback transaction to Charter Hall Retail REIT.

DLF Seeds

$421 million purchase of PGG Wrightson’s seed and grain business (property and overseas investment advice).

Solid Energy 

Property financing, disposals, leasing, mining and agricultural issues, and general advice in relation to the disposal of the state-owned entity’s assets.

Areas of Expertise

Insights & News