Our region will see the rollout of key regeneration projects for Christchurch’s city centre and the first stage of Dunedin’s new public hospital build. These projects reflect the vision, commitment and leadership of our members and the strength of our communities.
The often talked about opportunities that would arise, particularly in tourism, hospitality and retail are now fast becoming a reality, and these will continue to drive the South Island’s economy. In Christchurch, the Global Settlement was an important milestone and we’ll continue to work towards the city’s return to local leadership by engaging and assisting local and central government, and key regeneration agencies. The vision of the Blueprint and Central City Recovery Plan is coming to life in central Christchurch. It reflects the vision, commitment and leadership of property, New Zealand’s largest industry. We have a reshaped city; now it is time to make it thrive.
Our members will benefit from our advocacy across multiple topics as we go into bat on their behalf to open the doors for further development and supporting infrastructure. Key areas include:
These issues will have a huge impact on the future of the property sector and it’s our job to ensure that the collective voice of our members is heard by policy makers.
Rider Levett Bucknall
South Island Regional Chair
In the regions, our regular projects include Long-term Plans, Annual Plans, District and Spatial Plans, rates differentials and development contributions. In addition to this, each Regional Committee also choose one priority to focus on for the year, with the South Island’s being:
Authentic Leadership: Real Stories, Real Leadership There’s no single path to leadership. Authentic leadership is about understanding your values, trusting your voice, and leading in a way that feels
Hear directly from policymakers, engineers, and insurance experts on navigating New Zealand’s seismic reform. The Seismic Risk Management Review represents one of the most significant potential shifts in how
Hear directly from policymakers, engineers, and insurance experts on navigating New Zealand’s seismic reform. The Seismic Risk Management Review represents one of the most significant potential shifts in how New
We’re thrilled to continue the South Island Education Trust Grants – aimed at bolstering the education and professional growth of South Island members.
This exciting programme offers funding for employees of Property Council New Zealand member companies in the South Island. These grants cover costs associated with attending a wide array of industry events and training programs, ensuring our members stay at the forefront of industry knowledge and leadership.
The South Island Regional Committee assists the Property Council team to formulate our local advocacy strategy and plan member events and initiatives in the region.
The current Committee is in effect from 1 November 2025.
The Local Government Briefing Paper has been produced in advance of the 2025 Local Government Elections to provide candidates – many of whom are unfamiliar with the property industry – with a simple guide to the challenges faced, solutions available and potential impact for their city or region.
The document outlines five key workstreams:
Singing off the same song sheet nationwide also helps ensure consistency across our national and regional advocacy workstreams. It is a working document that will evolve over time as policies are announced and issues arise, with the current version available for download by members upon logging in here. 👉
The South Island Property People Awards celebrate and recognise the people behind the projects in the South Island region.
In 2025, we brought together a crowd of 250 guests for an unforgettable evening of exceptional networking and celebration.
Watch this space for future announcements!
On 1 May 2026, Property Council submitted on Hamilton City Council’s Financial Contributions Policy 2026. Why this matters to our members Under Hamilton City Council’s Financial Contributions Policy, a new charge of $996 per PUD (per unit of demand) is proposed on new growth development in Hamilton to fund Waikato River revitalisation and regeneration efforts. Our view Property Council recognises the importance of improving the health of the Waikato River and its catchment for both the region and New Zealand as a whole. However, we do not support recovering these costs from new development through financial contributions. Instead, we support a funding approach where costs are more broadly shared and clearly allocated to those who directly benefit from the investment.
On 1 May 2026, Property Council submitted on Tauranga City Council’s Draft Development Contributions Policy 2026/27. Why this matters to our members The Draft Development Contributions Policy 2026/27 is proposing a 7.3% increase to citywide development contributions. Our view Property Council opposes the 7.3% increase to citywide development contributions, as this sits within wider cost pressures Tauranga developers are facing. Development contributions for a standard three-bedroom dwelling have risen from $12,200 to almost $43,000 since the 2021–2031 Long Term Plan, alongside rising construction, financing, and holding costs. Property Council is concerned these increases will undermine development feasibility and housing delivery, and recommends community infrastructure instead be funded through alternative mechanisms such as targeted rates or user-pays models. At a high
On 24 April 2026, Property Council submitted on Selwyn District Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2026/27. Why this matters to our members The Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 is part of Selwyn District Council’s planning cycle. It outlines what Selwyn District Council proposes to deliver in the coming financial year and how services and activities will be funded. Our view The Draft Annual Plan proposes a range of rates increases, with trade-offs clearly explained, Property Council supports this approach. However, we are concerned about proposals to increase regulatory services fees, particularly building consenting fees, as this will impact project feasibility and investment. A stronger focus is needed on managing expenditure, aligning capital projects to minimise business disruption, improving transparency, and adopting alternative
Property Council has several dynamic and engaged member taskforces and committees, who provide insight and support our team with a range of initiatives. These groups are ever-changing and are open to all members.
We also have numerous opportunities for sponsors to partner with us to produce and support local events.
Please contact your Regional Manager for further information:
