Nick Byrnes

Special Counsel

Emailnick.byrnes@akd.partners

Call+64 9 300 3852

Auckland

About

Nick Byrnes is a property and construction law specialist with nearly a decade of experience in top tier law firms. He has experience in advising clients on complex high value acquisitions and disposals, development projects, construction contracts, consultancy engagements, and industrial and office leasing.

Nick has acted for clients (including several listed property developers) on a wide range of property matters, including helping those clients navigate New Zealand's foreign investment restrictions. Nick is also experienced in all aspects of the development process. His expertise in both the property and construction sectors leaves him well placed to guide his clients through a development project from start to finish.

Nick is particularly experienced in complex design build lease arrangements. He also has a wealth of experience in negotiating construction contracts for high value, specialised builds.

Areas of FocusInfrastructure, Construction and Transport Consumer Goods, Food and Retail Energy and Natural Resources Industrials Technology Real Estate

Professional QualificationsBarrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, 2016

EXPERIENCE

Property

Assisting Aquila Capital, Blackrock, NZGIF, Solar Bay and others with the real estate aspects of solar farm developments.
Advised Foodstuffs on the design build lease of its new 45,000m2 controlled temperature facility, which will comprise both freezer, chiller and office components.
Advising global corporates such as Apple, Warner Bros Discovery, Salesforce, Acumed and NTT on numerous (confidential) matters.
Advising Goodman New Zealand on various developent and leasing arrangements.
Advising CCIS / ANL on leasing arrangements relating to its container yard operations.
Advising Busy Bees on various new site acquisitions, together its development of certain sites.
Advising IAG on various aspects relating to its property interests all over New Zealand.
Advised AIG on its relocation from the AIG Building to the Jarden House.

Construction

Advised Maersk on the construction of its significant cool store development in Tainui Group's newly development Ruakura Superhub.
Advising several (confidential) global blue chip technology companies on their New Zealand development projects.
Advising Foodstuffs on various construction workstreams.
Advising Auckland Council on various construction matters, including slip remediation works following flood events.
Advising Savory Construction on several significant construction projects.
Advised Meridian in connection with its Hawkes Bay windfarm project (at a previous firm).*
Advised Goodman on various industrial construction projects at Highbrook Business Park (at a previous firm).*
Advised the Financial Markets Authority on its office fitout project (at a previous firm).*
Advised Auckland International Airport in connection with various construction projects (at a previous firm).*
Advised Tamaki Regeneration Company on its repurposing of housing stock as part of the Tamaki regeneration project.

*Denotes gained before joining AKD Partners

Awards

Rising Stars: Legal Leaders 2025, NZ Lawyer

Education

University of Auckland, LLB (Hons) 2015

University of Auckland, BCom (Majoring in International Business), 2015

Speaker events

Co-presenter with Precinct (Louise Rooney and Campbell Arnott) at a Red Cross "Know Your Rights" session for refugees / asylum seekers on NZ tenancy law in 2024.
Panellist at the New Zealand Green Building Council "Future Thinkers" panels session on Climate Resilience in March 2025.

Prior Experience

Prior to joining AKD Partners in 2021, Nick was a senior lawyer at another top tier NZ law firm

Additional information

Nick was a founding member of the New Zealand Law Society "National New Lawyers Group" in 2021.This group aims to provide greater connectivity and support for new lawyers entering the profession.

Memberships And Affiliations