Justin March

he/himPartner
Justin is my go-to. He is contactable and provides an impeccable level of service.
— Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Guide 2026
Auckland
About

Justin March is the head of real estate practice group in New Zealand with over 30 years’ experience in the real estate sector advising on domestic and cross border transactions for corporate clients.

Justin's clients typically have significant property portfolios and operate across a broad range of industry sectors, including real estate, consumer goods, food and retail, hosplitatility and leisure, co-living, student accomodation, renewables and natural resources, and often across multiple jurisdictions.

Justin advises on large scale acquisitions, disposals, leasing and development projects, and has led the team on some of the most significant real estate transactions in New Zealand.

Justin has been inducted into the prestigious New Zealand Law Society's Property Law Section Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contributions to property law in New Zealand and recognises his exemplary service, leadership and expertise throughout his distinguished career.

Areas of FocusConsumer Goods, Food and RetailReal EstateEnergy and Natural ResourcesFinancial ServicesTechnologyInfrastructure, Construction and Transport

EXPERIENCE

  • Adviser to Foodstuffs, New Zealand's largest grocery distributor and one of New Zealand's largest organisations on its strategic properties and portfolio of supermarkets. Asset value circa NZD1 billion.
  • Advised Keppel, a Singaporean based global assest manager on its joint venture with an NZX listed Precinct Properties Group for the development of a purpose built student accomodation. Project value of NZD290 million.
  • Advised YTL Corporation Berhard, one of Malaysias's largest listed conglomerates on its acquistion of an IHG managed Hotel Indigo for NZD160 million.
  • Advised Deka Immobilien Investment GmbH on its acquisition of Lumley Centre, 29 level premium Auckland CBD office. Acquistion price NZD146 million.
  • Advised on the acquisition by Australian based private investment group of three major regional retail shopping centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand. Acquisition price circa NZD300 million.
  • Advised Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, on its projects with NZX listed Precinct Properties relating to the Auckland Downtown Carpark high-rise mixed use redevelopment; and a joint venture with PAG to acquire and redevelop CBD commercial office buildings.
  • Advised Yashili, a Chinese listed and one of the largest domestic paediatric milk formula producers in China, on its acquisition and development of its NZD150 million milk processing facility project in Pokeno.
  • Advised L&Y Holdings, a multi-national developer of its NZD100 million mixed use commercial retail, residential, public carpark, integrated development project with Council public square and railway station on Broadway Newmarket comprising over 500 strata titles.
  • Advised Asia Pacific on the compulsory Public Works Act acquisition by the Crown of a substantial land holding of around 200ha for the Puhoi to Warkworth Stage Ara Tuhono-Puhoi to Wellsford Motorway Project. Compensation value NZD40 million.
  • Advised Televison New Zealand on its sale of Auckland CBD commerical properties to SkyCity for their multi-million dollar convention centre development.
  • Advised Mondelez on the disposal of the Dunedin Cadbury factory for the Ministry of Health’s Dunedin Hospital project.
  • Adviser to the Cornwall Park Trust Board on its 190ha land holdings at Cornwall Park, including park land, endowment land, ground lease property portfolio of over 140 properties, sports clubs, show grounds and an educational institution.
  • Advised Tiffany&Co, an iconic jeweller, on its much-publicised entry into New Zealand on its flagship store project in the prestigious high-end Britomart precinct in downtown Auckland.
  • Justin has advised global clients including a leading global technology company, Warner Bros. Discovery, Cathay Pacific, Berkshire Hathaway, Burberry, CMA CGM, Menzies Aviation, Danaher Corporation, General Electric, General Mills, H&M, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt, Lego, Kuehne + Nagel, LOGOS, Lululemon, Panasonic, Pfizer, Salesforce and Sanofi.
Languages
  • English

Awards

  • Ranked as a Recognised Practitioner by Chambers & Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2019-2026
  • Ranked as a Leading Partner by Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Guide 2019-2026
  • Hall of Fame of New Zealand Law Society Property Law Section
Education

  • University of Auckland, LLB, 1983

Speaker events

Justin is a regular contributor to The Law Association property precedents and provided webinars more recently on the standard commercial Deed of Lease. He has also been instrumental in the New Zealand Green Building Council's Performance Leasing Guide and Model Green Lease Clauses.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • New Zealand Law Society
  • New Zealand Law Society Property Transactions Committee
  • The Law Association Society Property Law Committee
  • The Law Association Documents and Precedents Committee
  • Property Council of New Zealand
  • New Zealand Green Building Council

My latest insights

Publication
Pink_building_N_23551910520

New Zealand real estate trends 2026: hotels, data centres, renewables and reform

5 May 2026

News

DLA Piper advises Accel-KKR on acquisition of NZ-founded tech company Whip Around

17 March 2026

Publication
Building_facade_PPT1910520

Incorporated Societies Act 2022: reregistration risks for property development societies

19 February 2026

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Connect

Phone

+64 9 300 3846
(Work, Auckland)
+64 21 888 382
(Work)