David Butler

David has built a reputation over more than 20 years as a leading real estate and construction lawyer in New Zealand. He has a track record of advising on the most significant and complex real estate deals and development projects. David is regularly approached to assist new entrants to the New Zealand market and is highly experienced in managing the overseas investment approval process.
 
David's clients include both domestic and offshore REITs, superannuation and sovereign wealth funds, high net worth families and other real estate investors, developers and occupiers with interests across the real estate sector.

David is recognised as a leading New Zealand Real Estate lawyer by Chambers and Partners 2023 Asia Pacific Guide, and a Leading Individual in Property and Construction law in the Legal 500 2022 Asia Pacific Guide. He was recently selected by his peers as '2023 Lawyer of the Year' (Real Estate Law) in the Best Lawyers® New Zealand Guide and has been recognised in the guide since 2014. He is also listed in the peer-nominated Doyles Guide 2020 as a Leading lawyer in Property & Real Estate.

Client feedback in Chambers and Partners 2022 Guide emphasised David's expertise in the Real Estate and Construction sector, with clients noting David:

• "is a highly regarded real estate lawyer in Russell McVeagh's Auckland office, where he frequently acts for inbound clients on capital transactions and development projects."
• "excellent leader and commercially focused lawyer."
• "a pleasure to deal with."

David's recent experience includes advising:

• A New Zealand listed company on the sale of land and proposed development of the first IKEA in New Zealand

• A sovereign wealth fund and Logos Property on the acquisition and development of a 17 hectare logistics estate in Auckland.

• On the acquisition of Albany Lifestyle Centre, Auckland, Pastoral House, Wellington and Home Straight, Hamilton.

• On the acquisition of the Todd Property Group assets.

• Lend Lease on the sale of the Meridian Mall, Dunedin.

• Charter Hall on the acquisition of a 49% interest in a unit trust which owns BP New Zealand's portfolio retail sites in New Zealand.

• Precinct Property on the ongoing development of Wynyard Central, Auckland the largest innovation precinct in New Zealand.

• Kiwi Property on its joint venture with Tainui Group in relation to land interests at Centre Place North shopping Centre in Hamilton.

• Head office leases for two significant corporates at two new Auckland office buildings.

More generally, David has advised:

• An Australian superannuation fund and Logos Property on the acquisition and development of a new industrial estate in Wiri, Auckland.

• Listed entities on the acquisitions and divestments of major shopping centres throughout New Zealand, including The Base Shopping Centre (Hamilton), Lynn Mall (Auckland), North City (Wellington).

• Lend Lease on the acquisition and sale of the Dress-Smart portfolio and Meridian Mall.

• A listed entity on the acquisition of a 50 hectare site for a future town centre development.

• Institutional investors, developers and occupiers on the sale, leasing and construction of new office towers, including the ASB Bank HQ and Fonterra HQ, Auckland and Majestic Centre Wellington.

• Local and overseas residential developers on the acquisition, subdivision and sale of green field sites, including negotiating development agreements with Auckland Council.

• A student accommodation owner and operator on the acquisition and development of a $300m student accommodation portfolio.

• Overseas and local parties on the acquisition and divestment of farmland and vineyards, including advising on the sale of Pinny Farms and acquisition of Wither Hills vineyards.

LLB, BA University of Canterbury.

David joined Russell McVeagh as a graduate in 2000 before leaving in 2004 to join the Real Estate team at Clifford Chance in London.

He rejoined Russell McVeagh in early 2009 and became a partner in 2010.

David is a member of the Russell McVeagh board of management.