The 5 Best Property Lawyers in Queenstown You Need to Know
David Sims
| Last Updated: September 2025 Whether it’s an investment property or that long-awaited holiday home, Queenstown is just one of those places that make investments worth it. Everybody wants a slice – after all, it’s the adventure capital of the world!
But let’s be honest – property hunting in Queenstown is a big deal. And since legal jargon just can’t simply mean what it says, you need the right legal expert to break things down and make your property-owning dreams come true.
If you’re ready to settle down in Queenstown, here are the property lawyers you need to know today!
How much does it cost to hire a property lawyer in Queenstown?
1. Mactodd Lawyers
Location: Level 2/26 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Contact: +6434410125
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Mactodd Lawyers have over 50 years of practice in the country. Apart from the long-standing expertise, clients also have confidence in the firm for their broad range of property law services.
Their areas of expertise cover residential sales, purchases, large-scale developments, and commercial leasing. We find them to be a convenient choice for clients who need comprehensive, well-supported services.
We especially appreciate their promptness, which suits clients with urgent needs. Even when urgency isn’t a factor, their detailed due diligence and careful contract reviews ensure clients are protected in both residential and commercial deals.
Beyond legal offerings, we also liked them for value-adding assistance. For instance, they provide clients with moving checklists and strategic advice on acquisitions, financing, and legal agreements.
If you’re interested in their services, prepare a pretty hefty initial consultation fee of $300 plus GST. It’s also recommended to book in advance as they’re a busy firm and have limited availability during peak times.
2. Todd & Walker Law
Location: Level 2, Craigs Investment Partners House 5 Mile Centre, 36 Grant Road, Frankton
Contact: +6434412743
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Todd & Walker Law has expertise in both residential and commercial transactions, allowing them to support a diverse client base. They cover a wide range of property law services, including first-home purchases and large-scale subdivisions.
What makes them a solid choice for us is their ability to handle specialised and complex cases. For instance, they manage rural property transactions, Overseas Investment Act applications, and high-value acquisitions.
They also advise overseas investors from Southeast Asia and Northern Asia.
Beyond this reach, the quality of services is solid for a complete property acquisition experience. Offerings cover due diligence such as LIMs, building reports, and valuations.
If we have to describe their lawyers, we have to refer to client opinions that often note how responsive and dedicated they are. One example of this is their willingness to work through holidays or after hours to meet deadlines.
During peak property seasons in spring, their appointment availability takes a hit. Initial consultation can be difficult to make, so we advise making a call weeks in advance.
3. Anderson Lloyd
Location: Level 2/13 Camp Street
Contact: +6434500700
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Anderson Lloyd is a reputable property law firm, supported by international recognitions like Chambers Asia Pacific and Legal 500. Their expertise across New Zealand makes them a trusted choice in both residential and commercial property law.
What makes them a great choice is their specialist knowledge in property development and project consenting. They even collaborate with tax advisers to structure developments while ensuring compliance with securities laws.
In line with this, they make property owning a seamless process. This is thanks to their resource management team, which offers end-to-end property planning. Additionally, they offer support in procuring titles and handling easements and covenants.
We also liked the balanced support for both sellers and buyers through residential transactions. One example is that they oversee land-use consents, including a wide range of properties such as family homes and retirement village units.
Legal fees appear to be higher than most firms, so it’s recommended to budget accordingly, especially for large-scale developments. Compared to smaller firms, their approach feels less personal too, though the services remain notable.
4. Aspiring Law
Location: 62 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305
Contact: +64800277529
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Aspiring Law offers a wide range of property services, covering residential and commercial transactions.
In particular, we like their focus on residential property services. Their offerings go beyond basic conveyancing – they also offer guidance on property sharing agreements and funding strategies.
Their commercial property expertise is just as comprehensive. They specialise in high-rise developments, mall and carpark leasing, and subdivision financing.
As for the overall client experience, we can summarise their approach in three words: professional, friendly, and proactive. Clients never had to wait days just to get updates, and they ensured smooth settlements by submitting documents before deadlines.
The firm also ensures that clients are constantly informed through published guides, such as emerging property issues in water regulations and lease reviews.
The only major thing to take note of is that they have limited strength in contentious or dispute-heavy property cases. Some clients also felt that their advice was “too agreeable.” Outcomes depend on the case, so managing expectations is advised.
5. Cruickshank Pryde Lawyers
Location: Level 1/311 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Contact: +6434412424
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Cruickshank Pryde values a client-focused approach, making them highly accessible for both first-time buyers and seasoned property investors.
Their biggest strength is their transparent and fixed-fee structure, inclusive of GST and anticipated disbursements. This helps clients plan financially without surprises, which is always a major advantage.
We find their property services to be well-rounded too, especially for clients who need full support from start to finish. The firm can assist with buying, selling, and refinancing. They can even guide you in handling KiwiSaver withdrawals.
When it comes to legal processes, their lawyers specialise in covenants, easements, and settlement processes. Communication is smooth and prompt, even during challenging situations, which clients fully appreciate.
Their strong knowledge of the Queenstown property market makes them a standout choice too. Combined with their legal expertise, we can say they ensure full-service capability, whether it’s routine or more intricate property matters.
The only things missing for us are the things that would have made things easier on the client’s end, such as easy online booking and over-the-phone appointment setting. They can be difficult to reach at times for these instances, though the occurrence is rare.
