Abi Crawford

Senior Associate Pouarataki Pāhake

Ko Horouta me Te Arawa ngā waka
Ko Marotiri me Tongariro ngā maunga
Ko Mangahauini me Taupō ngā wai
Ko Te Whānau a Ruataupare me Ngāti Turumākina ngā hapū
Ko Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Tūwharetoa ngā iwi
Ko Abi Crawford tōku ingoa

Abi is a Senior Associate specialising in real estate, Māori economic development, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

She advises iwi, Māori organisations, Crown agencies and international and domestic corporates on complex property transactions, governance and structuring, and strategic projects at the intersection of land and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Abi’s clients span many sectors, including commercial property, energy, forestry, housing, health and social services. She regularly advises clients on both engaging with, and operating effectively within, the Māori economy, with specific work including preparing engagement strategies, supporting strategic and governance planning, and advising on commercial structuring.

Having worked closely with the Ministry of Education on Treaty advisory work for many years (including a period spent in house advising on implementation of a $350 million school deal with Ngāti Toa Rangatira), Abi is deeply familiar with advising on both the procedural and relationship level considerations that inform meaningful Treaty partnership. She has similarly supported post-settlement governance entities at every stage of their journey – from establishment and Treaty settlement negotiation through to post-settlement growth, expansion and large-scale development projects.

In the real estate space, Abi acts for landlords, tenants, developers, Crown agencies and investors on all aspects of property transactions. She has particular expertise in land acquisition and divestment for significant government programmes and private sector clients alike, and on portfolio commercial leasing.

Her experience in the Māori commercial advisory space has equipped her to support clients to find creative solutions to complex problems. She is passionate about supporting the growth of the Māori economy through creative and ambitious enterprise.

Career highlights

Advising the Ministry of Education on completing the transfer of 71 schools in the Wellington Region to Ngāti Toa Rangatira as part of the Ngāti Toa’s Treaty settlement. The transaction is the largest Treaty settlement transfer of education land ever, with a transaction value exceeding $350 million, supporting Ngāti Toa in its aspiration to secure a prosperous future for its mokopuna .

Acting for Argosy Property in negotiating separate leasing arrangements with tenants at 7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington.

Assisting Pan Pac Forest Products to obtain a standing consent to enter into forestry transactions without going through the onerous Overseas Investment Act consent process. We have subsequently advised Pan Pac on two forestry transactions in reliance on the standing consent. Given the novelty of standing consents, we liaised closely with the Overseas Investment Office on its reporting processes and requirements.

Acting for a newly settled iwi on negotiation of its settlement with the Crown, and creating a fit for purpose post-settlement governance entity.

Advising a Ngāi Tahu papatipu rūnanga entity on creating and implementing a five year strategic plan for effective delivery of social services.

Advising numerous post-settlement governance entities and/or Māori land trusts on structuring, asset acquisition and asset management to invest in new commercial enterprises, such as horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, and farming.

Achievements and recognition
  • Tier 1 team, Real Estate, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific