We are city shapers

“Property is more than bricks and mortar — it’s the foundation of strong communities, a productive economy and the places New Zealanders call home. We’re here to help the country build well, build smart and build for the future.”
Leonie Freeman, Chief Executive

Media Enquiries

Property Council New Zealand represents the owners, investors, developers and advisers behind Aotearoa New Zealand’s built environment. When news breaks, we provide clear, practical insight on what it means for cities, businesses and communities.

We're here to help

Our communications team can quickly connect journalists with expert spokespeople, industry data and on-the-ground perspectives.

We regularly assist with commentary on:

  • Housing supply and affordability

  • Planning and resource management

  • Infrastructure funding and growth

  • Investment and market conditions

  • Urban development and city shaping

  • Long-term Plans and Regional Plans

On a deadline? Tell us your timeframe, and we’ll prioritise your request.

Recent media

Our team frequently contributes informed, solutions-focused perspectives across national and regional outlets.

Recent coverage has included commentary on:

  • The future pipeline of housing across major centres

  • The impact of regulatory change on development feasibility

  • Commercial rates and business competitiveness

  • How partnerships can unlock infrastructure delivery

Looking for a spokesperson or background for an upcoming story? Get in touch.

Meet Leonie

Leonie Freeman is Chief Executive of Property Council New Zealand, the country’s leading advocate for the property industry.

A respected voice on housing supply, urban growth, investment and planning reform, Leonie is known for translating complex policy into real-world impact. She speaks regularly on how decisions made in Wellington and by local government affect the delivery of homes, workplaces and community infrastructure across Aotearoa.

Her career spans senior leadership across both the public and private sectors. Leonie helped create the concept that evolved into realestate.co.nz, owned and transformed her own property management business, contributed to the establishment of Auckland’s new “Super City” governance structure, and led major asset development programmes for Housing New Zealand Corporation (now Kāinga Ora). She also previously headed an independent philanthropic initiative focused on addressing Auckland’s housing challenges.

Leonie currently serves on the board of NZX-listed Goodman Property Trust and is a passionate advocate for strong governance, diverse leadership and a thriving built environment.

She holds a Master of Commerce in valuation and property management, is a life member of the Property Institute of New Zealand, a chartered member of the Institute of Directors and a member of Global Women. Her contributions to the industry have been recognised with numerous honours, including the Property Institute’s Supreme Property Award and Lincoln University’s Bledisloe Medal.

Key Topics

Key media angles Leonie can speak to:

🏗️ Housing supply and delivery

  • What is (and isn’t) slowing new housing

  • Feasibility pressures: construction costs, funding, regulation

  • The difference between land being zoned vs homes actually being built

  • Build to Rent, medium density and urban intensification

  • What needs to change to increase pace and scale

Why her: represents developers, owners, investors and delivery partners nationwide.

🧭 Planning and resource management reform

  • Whether reforms will make it easier or harder to build
  • Where unintended consequences may sit
  • Balancing growth with community outcomes
  • The practical reality of consenting timelines

Why her: daily interface between policy ambition and delivery reality.

💰 Infrastructure funding and growth

  • Who pays for growth

  • Development contributions and levies

  • The link between infrastructure certainty and housing supply

  • Public/private partnership opportunities

Why her: members fund and deliver alongside councils and government.

🏙️ City shaping and urban futures

  • How our cities must evolve

  • Productivity, transport and density

  • Creating vibrant places people want to be

  • Climate resilience in development

Why her: leads the organisation that calls members “city shapers”.

🏢 Commercial property and business competitiveness

  • Rates differentials

  • Office demand and return-to-work patterns

  • Retail and industrial trends

  • The importance of CBD vitality

🤝 Government–industry partnership

  • What collaboration looks like when it works

  • Where processes create friction

  • How to unlock faster progress

👩‍💼 Women in property and leadership

  • Changing representation in the industry

  • Building leadership pipelines

  • Governance capability

🧠 The reality check angle

Leonie is particularly strong when media need someone who can answer:

👉 “Great idea — but can it actually be delivered?”

Contact

Head of Communications

Kelly Taylor

+64 21 5757 02
comms@propertynz.co.nz