Toni Forrest

Partner, Wellington

Contact

+64 4 915 6524 +64 27 5055 910 toni.forrest@bellgully.com View my LinkedIn

Expertise

Toni is a highly regarded projects and real estate specialist, well-known for her pragmatic, commercially focused and results-oriented approach. She leads our market-leading Projects and Real Estate practice.

Toni's significant projects and real estate experience, combined with her corporate and commercial background, provides clients with specialist knowledge and expertise in complex projects, real estate transactions, structuring, governance, partnerships and joint venture arrangements, including for commercial property acquisitions and disposals, property and housing developments, hotel transactions and infrastructure funding and delivery projects. 

Toni's extensive experience and expertise sees her working with many significant private sector clients (both domestic and international), public sector organisations and iwi organisations. She has a real understanding of working on strategic projects, including in the local and central government space.

She has a reputation for going the extra mile for her clients to ensure they achieve their objectives.

Qualifications

LLB, BA University of Otago
2007 Admitted New Zealand

Professional experience

2011-2016 CMS Cameron McKenna London, UK

Market recognition

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023 to 2025 Real estate and construction, 'Next generation partner'. 

Clients say she "provides exceptional support by understanding an organisation's risk appetite and key drivers and navigating complex and high-risk issues." She is "exceptionally commercially savvy, solutions-focused and extremely approachable."

Another stated, "In a complex organisation like ours, we need advisors who can understand not only the legal and commercial risk the organisation faces, but also reputational and commercial risk. Toni does this effortlessly."

Work highlights

Wellington City Council social housing

Advising on the bespoke arrangements for Council's new community housing provider to manage 1,800 social housing properties, including the long-term operating and leasing arrangements.

Precinct Properties sale and new partnership

Acted on the NZ$240m sale of 40 and 44 Bowen Street, Wellington, to Bowen Investment Limited Partnership.

SkyCity Entertainment Group concession

Advised on SkyCity's agreement to sell and operate a long-term concession over its Auckland car parks for ~NZ$220m to Macquarie.

Wellington City Council long-term development and leasing project

Advised on Council's new office accommodation project, including the redevelopment works and long-term leasing arrangements.

Central Government office precinct

Advised Precinct Properties on the redevelopment of Defence House and MPI House, and sale of Pastoral House. 

Ngāi Tahu Property partnering agreement

Advised on its partnering agreement with Queenstown Lakes District Council to redevelop central Queenstown.

Tāupo District Council housing development

Advising on its East Urban Lands residential housing development.

Relevant insights

16 July 2025
Government to stop council plan changes
18 June 2025
Proposed new rules for overseas investment in New Zealand: is your deal in the national interest?
12 June 2025
Updates to Resource Management National Direction: freshwater package
12 June 2025
Updates to Resource Management National Direction: infrastructure and development package
12 June 2025
Updates to Resource Management National Direction: primary sector package
23 April 2025
Government releases guidance for the responsible use and adoption of Generative AI by the public sector
3 April 2025
The Government is limiting farm-to-forestry conversions – further detail about the policy changes has been announced
1 April 2025
Government announces final reforms to the Public Works Act
27 March 2025
A new approach to planning and resource management
13 March 2025
Spotlight on economic growth in the proposed new Government Procurement Rules
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