Thinking of Subdividing?
You are in the right place.
What we do.
Welcome to Downie Stewart – Experts in Property Development and Subdivision
At Downie Stewart, we specialise in helping landowners, developers, and investors unlock the potential of their properties through subdivision. Subdivision is specialty work. Using a lawyer who specialises in this area can save you time and add real value to your project.
Our team is proud to work on residential, rural, and commercial subdivisions, including easement creation and removal, unit title subdivision, boundary adjustment and subdivision for farm succession and estate planning purposes.
Whether you are subdividing a bare section, planning a multi-lot residential development, or navigating the complexities of rural land subdivision, we can help. We work closely with surveyors, planners, councils, accountants and other professionals to streamline the process, manage legal risks, and help you maximise the value of your land.
At Downie Stewart, we take care of the technical legal side of property development so you can focus on the bigger picture.
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Our team advises on all aspects of property development to minimise risk and maximise returns. We advise developers on the best legal structures to complete their subdivision. This might involve negotiating a joint venture arrangement, forming a company or partnership, or advising on how best to stage a development.
What we handle:
Development agreements and joint ventures
Agreements to grant between developers and neighbours
Drafting restrictive and reverse-sensitivity covenants to future-proof titles for further development
Preparation of body corporate rules and resolutions, including designated resolutions, for deposit of unit title plans
Land acquisitions and sales
Trust structures for property holdings
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Whether you are buying or selling land, we provide expert legal support to ensure smooth transactions. Our team manages the details, from drafting bespoke contracts to structuring deals, while ensuring you understand your rights and obligations.
What we handle:
Property sales and purchases
Drafting and negotiating sale and purchase agreements
Buying/Selling off the plans
Due diligence on all aspects of land acquisition
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When subdividing or developing land, it is often necessary to create easements (for access, services, etc.) and covenants (to protect land value or restrict certain uses). Our team is highly experienced in negotiating and drafting these instruments and can advise on what sort of instrument is right for your situation.
What we handle:
Easement drafting and registration
Drafting and registering covenants
Advising on easement terms
Surrendering redundant and compulsory easements – so that you can build on more of your land
Resolving disputes over rights of way and other easement rights
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We work with property owners and developers to create trust structures that protect assets and ensure smooth succession planning. Whether for residential subdivisions, large farms, or investment portfolios, we provide advice on the most effective way to structure ownership and plan for future generations.
What we handle:
Setting up family or trading trusts and the transfer of assets into trusts
Succession and estate planning for rural families
Asset protection strategies
Our Projects.
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Amendment to Body Corporate Arrangements
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Residential Unit Titles
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Large-Scale Residential Subdivision
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![Inner City Residential Living in Repurposed Heritage Building]()
Inner City Residential Living in Repurposed Heritage Building
How to get started with subdividing in New Zealand.
Our property team specialises in subdivision, including advising on subdivision development strategy.
We have decades of experience around New Zealand undertaking all sorts of projects ranging from 2-lot fee simple (freehold) subdivisions to complex unit title subdivisions and redevelopments.
We offer timely, practical advice to make the subdivision process as straightforward as possible.
We scope the job early and work closely with you, Councils, surveyors, planners, accountants and valuers so there are no delays or surprises.
We work all over New Zealand. Your surveyor needs a site visit – we can manage your legal affairs from just about anywhere!
Let us help turn your property vision into a reality.
Why Choose Downie Stewart?
Jasmine Edghill
Jasmine is a property and subdivision lawyer providing expert legal advice on subdivisions, land development, and property transactions across Dunedin.
Jasmine works with land developers and investors on fee simple subdivisions and boundary adjustments, sales off the plan, creating and removing easements, and adverse possession claims. Jasmine’s clients enjoy her clear communication and solution-focused approach to their projects.
Jane Fletcher
Jane is a highly experienced property lawyer specialising in subdivisions, unit title developments, and complex land development projects.
With decades of experience across Dunedin and Auckland, she advises developers, investors, and landowners on subdivision work, including drafting development agreements and agreements to grant, encumbrances, easements and land covenants. Jane is known for her practical, strategic approach and her ability to guide clients through complex subdivision and development processes with clarity and confidence.
Jane is best involved at the earliest stage so that she can assist your planner and surveyor in getting a resource consent that is right for your project.
Zana Clearwater
Zana Clearwater is an experienced Legal Executive with over 30 years of expertise in property law and subdivisions.
Based in Dunedin, Zana works closely with developers and families to create new titles, drafting easements and covenants, and regularly works with agents to sell off new titles and homes. Zana is known for her client-focused approach, ensuring subdivision projects run smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.