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
