Expertise

The team has experience developing multi-use high-rise buildings, apartments, all manners of leases - including malls and carparks, among a myriad of other commercial property deals.

Janice and Mike have been involved in commercial property transactions for over 60 years collectively. We have seen it all, and are equipped and ready to go.

Our key services

Our team

Buying, Selling, Leasing, Building, Developing, Subdividing, Financing Property.  Our property experts have seen it all and have you covered whether it be your first home or a development of 1000's of lots.

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Janice

Janice Hughes

Director
Janice opted out of joining the family horticultural enterprise to become a lawyer and over the last 25 years has become a respected specialist in property, business, trusts, will and estate matters.
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Lily

Lily Barnes

Senior Associate

A property and commercial law specialist, Lily advises on:

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Mike

Mike Toepfer

Director
Born in Chicago, Mike settled in Wanaka after 30 years in Auckland where he worked for two of the city’s leading law firms.
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Veronica

Veronica Manning

Law Clerk

Veronica, just like many others, moved to Otago for a lifestyle change and is now part of our growing Property team and based in Arrowtown.

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Articles and Events

Empty meeting room

Leases - Clarity around fixtures and fittings

For both landlords and tenants negotiating a commercial lease, it is always best to turn your mind to your intentions for any fixtures and fittings attached to the premises; this will help enormously in avoiding costly disputes later on.
Commercial propertyLeasing commercial property
Cafe workers

Buying or selling a business: new purchase price allocation rules you need to know

If you are looking to buy or sell a business, you will need to be aware of new purchase price allocation rules which come into effect on 1 July 2021.
Commercial propertyBusiness & CommercialBuying & Selling a business
Lake and mountains

Overseas investors: New test to apply for consent

Despite our borders being more or less closed for over a year, overseas investors will play a crucial role in the recovery and growth of the New Zealand econ

Residential propertyCommercial property
lily barnes

Aspiring Law expands its property and commercial team

Growing up in Nelson, followed by high school in Christchurch, university in Dunedin and now the newest member of the Aspiring Law team in Wanaka, Lily Barnes' life has been a tiki tour around the South Island.
Residential propertyBuying residential propertySelling residential propertyBuilding residential propertyFunding residential propertyDeveloping residential propertyCommercial propertySelling commercial propertyLeasing commercial propertyBuying commercial propertyBusiness & CommercialLeasingSet-up & StructuringFinancingBuying & Selling a businessBusiness advisory
Auckland city and waterfront

Relief for commercial tenants

The Government just released guidance today for eligible commercial landlords and tenants who have not yet resolved what, if any, rent or outgoings abatement

Commercial propertyLeasing commercial propertyBusiness & CommercialBusiness advisory
Auckland city skyline

Further Guidelines on Rent Relief due to Covid-19 Restrictions

There has been much discussion lately about whether, and by how much, rental for commercial premises should be reduced because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Commercial propertySelling commercial propertyLeasing commercial property
Building a commercial property

Landlords: Out of sight, out of mind is not good enough!

As a landlord, there’s still an obligation to manage risks in relation to your premises, even when you have a tenant in place.
Commercial propertyLeasing commercial property
Living room with couch and plants

Further Changes to Overseas Investment Rules Coming

Change is on the horizon for overseas property investment regulations as the second and final stage of the review of the Overseas Investment Act 2005 gets underway.
Residential propertyBuying residential propertyCommercial propertyBuying commercial property
Aspiring law icon

Unit Titles Act 2010: are you complying?

​A unit title is a form of property ownership where you own your unit, but the common areas are owned by the body corporate. This ownership structure is common in high-rise apartment blocks.
Residential propertyBuying residential propertyCommercial propertyBuying commercial property
Living room with white couches

Property sale and purchase: GST

Generally speaking, GST on a property sale and purchase between two GST-registered entities results in a ‘GST neutral’ position for both the seller and the buyer. It’s essential that the sale and purchase agreement contains the correct wording, particulars and information in respect of the GST position of the parties to the agreement.
Residential propertyBuying residential propertySelling residential propertyCommercial propertySelling commercial propertyBuying commercial property
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