Andrew Petersen

Andrew is Bell Gully’s chair and leads the firm’s Real Estate and Projects team. He is an experienced commercial property partner who offers his clients complementary expertise in corporate and commercial matters.

Andrew is Bell Gully’s chair and leads the firm’s Real Estate and Projects team. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​His experience includes advising on real estate and business acquisitions and divestments, leasing, project developments and finance, construction, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements, and property restructuring and insolvency. Andrew's experience covers all areas of property, including office, retail, industrial, hotels, apartments, residential, golf course developments, land subdivisions, farming, forestry and vineyards.

Andrew's clients include Cooper and Company (which is redeveloping Auckland's Britomart precinct), leading companies such as Fletcher Building, Kiwi Property, Rank Group, Carter Holt Harvey, Goodman Group and Goodman Property Trust, and numerous international corporate and private clients investing in New Zealand.

Andrew was a representative on the Technical Reference Group advising the New Zealand Government on the review of the Overseas Investment Act (OIA). He also presented a series of nationwide seminars on the Act with the Overseas Investment Office and co-authored the comprehensive New Zealand Law Society guide for practitioners on the Act. Andrew has been involved with over 50 OIA applications under the 2005 legislation.

In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022, Andrew is named in the “Hall of Fame” for real estate and construction – its highest accolade for lawyers in the region. Clients say “Andrew Petersen is outstanding on OIO matters, with an almost unparalleled working knowledge of the legislation and its practical application.” “Andrew Petersen is a pleasure to deal with. He knows what it takes to get deals done quickly and efficiently and is an outstanding problem solver.” He is also considered “a star in relation to overseas investment issues.”

Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 also rank Andrew in its highest category, with one client describing him as “very good technically and also very easy to deal with, relatable and very pragmatic.” In a previous edition, Andrew was noted for his excellent strategic approach and ability to find solutions to complex issues.

Andrew is recognised by Doyles Guide 2020 as a preeminent lawyer for Property and Real Estate in New Zealand.​