Property Council members shape New Zealand’s cities, one property at a time. They are the instigators, the makers and the doers who bring to life spaces for Kiwis to live, work, shop and play.
Property underpins our economy, contributing $50.2 billion (15% of GDP), supporting more than 235,000 jobs, and representing $2.2 trillion in assets nationwide. Getting the policy settings right is critical to unlocking the full potential of both the sector and New Zealand.
That’s where we come in.
As a not-for-profit membership organisation, Property Council represents more than 15,000 property professionals across 610 member companies. Our membership reflects the diversity of the property sector, spanning private developers and investors, iwi, local authorities, government agencies and community housing providers, alongside owners, managers, construction companies, consultancies and advisers — all shaping the places where New Zealanders live, work and play.
Our advocacy positions are grounded in real-world experience. Through our dedicated member-led taskforces and Regional Committees, we bring together local industry expertise across key areas, including development levies, Build to Rent, planning and sustainability. Every position we advocate reflects the collective voice of practitioners working at the coalface. Read on to learn more about our process or join one of our member taskforces.
Together, we are shaping cities where communities thrive.
Ngā mihi nui,
Leonie Freeman
Chief Executive
Note: Membership statistics are current as of 31 March 2026.
It is vital that the Government, public and private sectors work together to create thriving cities and communities through investment in infrastructure.
It is important for all New Zealanders that our planning system operates effectively to unlock development and infrastructure in the right place at the right time.
We want to see fairer regulation and policies, alongside a tax system that encourages smarter investment to fund, build and maintain our cities.
New Zealand’s housing supply has not kept pace with demand, limiting affordability and access for many. Greater focus is needed on delivering housing plans and policies.
We call on the Government to work with the property industry to set a clear pathway to reduce emissions, improve seismic resilience, and establish nationally consistent energy efficiency benchmarks for the built environment.
Please login to access an overview of the Government’s forward work programme and how this relates to Property Council’s advocacy priorities.
In the regions our regular advocacy projects include contributing to key consultations, including Long-term Plans, Annual Plans, district and spatial plans, rating differentials and development contributions. In addition to this, each Regional Committee also choose one priority to focus on for the year:
Driving Auckland’s growth by removing regulatory barriers and red tape to accelerate the delivery of smart, integrated property, transport, and infrastructure for connected sustainable communities, starting with the City Centre.
Contact Samantha Lay Yee for further information.
Advocate for the property industry to support a vibrant, open-for-business and affordable Wellington region that attracts people.
Contact Bella Leddy for further information.
A thriving and resilient region with effective, affordable and timely infrastructure that enables quality development, investment and growth.
Contact Bella Leddy for further information.
Enabling development and investment across the South Island by strengthening stakeholder relationships.
Contact Samantha Lay Yee for further information.
On 28 May 2026, Property Council submitted on the Modern Slavery Bill. Why this matters to our members A number of Property Council members are already undertaking modern slavery reporting
On 8 May 2026, Property Council submitted on Wellington City Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2026/27. Why this matters to our members The Draft Annual Plan 2026/27 outlines the budget for
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
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
One of the challenges of any membership organisation, particularly one focused on advocacy, is the collection and collation of a broad range of member views and opinions that form one cohesive message on which you can campaign.
After all, policy and decision makers want consensus and clarity, not 600+ differing opinions and another 600 potential solutions that contradict each other.
Our approach to this challenge follows a process we have refined over the past 50 years of representing the New Zealand property industry:
The length and complexity of this process varies hugely depending on the timeframe provided for consultation and the size of the issue. For example, Resource Management changes clearly take many more rounds of consultation than a simple Plan Change by a local authority.
The second string to this bow is the public-facing campaign that often runs in parallel with our submission. These campaigns can run for many months as we simultaneously work behind the scenes to advocate on our members’ behalf.
Property Council has an array of member advocacy taskforces that help shape our key national and regional workstreams. Whether that be RMA, Build to Rent or Building System reform, we’d love for you to get involved.
Joining one of our taskforces is a great way to contribute towards Property Council’s Advocacy work programme and receive up-to-date information on workstreams that you are passionate about.
Check out the list of our current active workstreams below, and reach out to our Advocacy team should you wish to be involved:
