One of New Zealand’s most dynamic and far-reaching sectors, tourism contributes significantly to GDP, employment, and regional development across the country.
Tourism is a vital contributor to New Zealand’s economy and global reputation. As one of the country’s largest export industries, it plays an essential role in regional development, employment, and the promotion of Māori culture and natural heritage. The sector is evolving rapidly, shaped by global travel trends, sustainability imperatives, and development opportunities.
Our cross-practice team of sector specialists work alongside domestic and international hotel managers and owners, tourism operators, iwi, investors, property developers and public sector agencies to support the development of a resilient tourism sector. We cover all key legal practice areas required to support our clients to implement their strategies, including property, mergers & acquisitions, employment, financing, intellectual property, commercial regulation and New Zealand’s overseas direct investment regime. We understand the complex regulatory, commercial, and cultural environment in which tourism businesses operate. Our team advises across the full tourism value chain, including accommodation, transport, attractions, and destination management. Our unique experience enables us to provide practical, strategic advice that supports long-term growth while respecting environmental and cultural values.
We are also committed to supporting sustainable and culturally grounded tourism initiatives. This includes advising on conservation-focused developments, carbon reduction strategies, and partnerships with iwi and local communities. Our collaborative approach and deep sector knowledge help our clients to contribute to a tourism sector that is robust, environmentally responsible, and enriching for visitors to New Zealand.
We are delighted to have a robust strategic agreement in place, and we appreciate the commercial legal expertise that David and Jennifer at MinterEllisonRuddWatts provided.
Ms Ho Chai Kun, Deputy Managing Director at Heritage Hotels.
Acting for Minor Hotels on its long-term hotel management agreement for the rebranding and management of a 244-key hotel in the heart of Auckland. The addition of the Oaks Auckland Hotel to its portfolio is a strategic move that marks Minor Hotels’ arrival into central Auckland, and reinforces its ongoing commitment to strategic growth in New Zealand and Australia. Our team’s nuanced understanding of hotel operations, brand management, and owner-operator dynamics enabled us to deliver commercially sound and legally robust solutions for Minor Hotels. This transaction showcased how our firm delivers seamless support on complex transactions across multiple legal practice areas - including property, employment, and banking, and reflects our commitment to excellence in hotel advisory services and our proven track record advising global hotel brands.
Legal advisers to a major global hotel operator on securing management rights for a new premium hotel in Christchurch’s former Rydges Hotel building, known locally as the ‘hip flask’. The landmark site, vacant since the earthquakes, is now set for a $100+ million redevelopment including a new 15 storey tower to create a 240 bedroom hotel and rooftop bar. We have been working with Singapore-based counsel on the negotiation of the hotel management agreement and supporting the transaction throughout with our local real estate and hotel management expertise.
Legal advisers to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) on the largest greenfield mixed-use development in central Queenstown, Lakeview, which includes hotel and retail offerings. We have advised QLDC on all aspects of the process to prepare for and take the 10ha site to the market, including Expression of Interest documentation, bidder due diligence, QLDC approvals, preparing template development documentation, preparing Request for Development Proposal documents, facilitating the RFDP process and probity, helping evaluate bids, providing advice on adjacent, overlapping developments, through to selection of a preferred bidder.
Acting for investor M&L Hospitality on the Hilton Auckland (Princes Wharf). The original acquisition and development workstream included cross-border structuring, finance and tax advice, due diligence and negotiation of acquisition documents, regulatory advice on direct foreign investment rules, planning and environmental compliance, and alcohol and health licensing. We routinely assist with ad hoc advice relating to the hotel.
Longstanding adviser to Tourism Holdings Limited (NZX:thl) on all its legal requirements covering corporate, commercial, intellectual property, real estate and other services. Recently, we advised Tourism Holdings Limited on its entry into a Scheme Implementation Deed to merge with Apollo Tourism and Leisure Limited (ASX:ATL) through an Australian Scheme of Arrangement. This was the first takeover of an ASX listed company by a NZX listed company by way of a Scheme of Arrangement.
We also advised on all real estate aspects of the lease, refurbishment, and relocation of Tourism Holdings Limited to its new flagship location at Oruarangi Road, Auckland. This development has allowed Tourism Holdings Limited to bring all its Auckland rentals, sales (including its RV Supercentre), workshops, and global support teams together under one, iconic and market-leading, roof. Tourism Holdings Limited’s businesses include the Discover Waitomo Group, which operates the iconic Waitomo Glowworm Caves among other adventure experiences, to which we continue to provide legal advice.
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