Karyn Kenealy

Senior Associate Pouarataki Pāhake

she/her

Karyn is a commercial property lawyer, with more than 12 years’ experience in all aspects of property and real estate.

She advises on retail and commercial leasing, property acquisitions and disposals, complex due diligence, development and subdivision projects, overseas investment in New Zealand property, and associated financing transactions.

Karyn works with developers and landlords to successfully deliver their new projects and developments across the retail, commercial, industrial and government sectors. She manages large property portfolios, assisting her clients with all manner of property transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, and leasing. Karyn’s expertise in commercial leasing also extends to advising tenants (commercial, corporate and government) on new retail and office leases.

Karyn works with a number of industry-leading clients in the medical, education, retail, and farming sectors. Her clients include the Ministry of Primary Industries, Southern Cross, Heinz Wattie’s Limited, Z Energy, Public Trust, Fisher & Paykel, and AUT.

With an eye for detail, Karyn is skilled at documenting complex arrangements and seeing them through to completion. She is a trusted adviser to her clients, becoming an integral member of their project team, with a practical and solutions-focused approach.

Passionate about all things property, Karyn thrives when working closely with clients to achieve their outcomes in the most straightforward and practical manner. She builds strong and ongoing relationships with her clients by working to understand their business and goals. She has a real interest in being “hands on” and seeing a project through from conception to completion.

Career highlights

Acting for a large national property developer on a complex acquisition and office tower project in Wellington Central, including strategic negotiations with Wellington City Council.

Acting for the Ministry for Primary Industries to negotiate the acquisition of an 80-year bespoke registered leasehold interest and development of a new science, research, and innovation premises.

Acting for various fuel companies in their property acquisitions and disposals, management of their nationwide property leasing and property ownership portfolios, and overseas investment into sensitive land in New Zealand.

Assisting AUT to prepare a bespoke Services Agreement for the delivery of student accommodation at its Akoranga campus.

Acting for a private landowner in the disposal of a large block of farmland in the Waikato region to a national residential property developer, including negotiating tailored development and easement rights.

Assisting Southern Cross with its nationwide property and leasing portfolio, including hospitals.

Advising numerous corporate tenants on new retail and office leases in Auckland’s most significant new developments, including Commercial Bay and Westfield Newmarket.

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