Our property team are hugely experienced with wide ranging expertise in residential property, rural property and commercial property matters. Our experience includes:
Residential Property
- Sale and purchase agreements
- Residential tenancies
- Building contracts
- Unit titles and cross leases
- Bank lending and mortgages
- Residential subdivision and section purchases
Rural Property
- Buying and selling farms and orchards
- Orchard, farm and forestry leases
- Rural subdivision and Resource Management Act issues
- Water consents
- Fencing and boundary disputes
Commercial Property
- Buying and selling of commercial and industrial land
- Commercial lease drafting and negotiation
- Sub-leases
- Rent review disputes and mediation
- Overseas Investment Commission consent applications
- Commercial and industrial subdivisions
From the moment we met with Priyaanka and started the journey of house sales, it was all simple steps, although a significant undertaking for us having never gone through this process for at least 44 years. Any questions were answered in a very clear and professional manner, nothing was ever a problem, any dates mentioned for certain things to happen were met. Priyaanka is an absolute delight as a person, the whole process was a pleasure and made simple by her. I would have no hesitation in recommending Priyaanka to act on their behalf.
Pete Johnston
Thank you to Priyaanka for her assistance, positivity & proactive approach. Really enjoyed the purchase process.
James & Yvette Wallace
Priyaanka handled the sale and purchase of my house. She was an absolute pleasure to deal with and a testament to the GQ brand. I have and will recommend her services to my colleagues and friends. Thanks again for your support.
Duncan Cumming
Alice and Suzanne have a real strength in listening- they have always given me practical advice tailored to whatever my circumstances at the time may be. Sorting out the legal side of property transactions is a chore, but they seem to be able to make it pain-free every time. They will be my go-to wherever I might buy property in NZ.
Jacinta
We have been represented better than I could have ever imagined. Our needs were put first and we were treated as a friend rather than a number. Our opinions were valued and our doubts were always reassured. My nerves were calmed and the process was always explained. Karen Wood went above and beyond and did everything she could do for a great outcome professionally in every aspect that we have dealt with her. Highly recommended.
Colleen & John
Priyaanka Khatri made the emotional roller coaster sale of my business so much easier by showing such compassion & understanding on a personal level with a professional knowledgeable manner when required. Such a caring happy lady. Thank you Priyaanka.
Robyn & John Sanders
GQ has prepared our legal work DA & DG Keene Family Trust, Naki Developments Ltd and Darcy Keene Earthmoving Ltd for many years now and in this time we have found them to be very professional and obliging. We feel very relaxed in their company and hope we can continue doing business with them for many years to come.
Darcy & Debbie Keene
I found [Priyaanka] an absolute pleasure to deal with. She made the whole process very straight forward - explaining each step as we went along. I trusted her judgement and found her answers to my questions easy to understand.
Donna Bunyan
Alice and Suzanne have a real strength in listening- they have always given me practical advice tailored to whatever my circumstances at the time may be. Sorting out the legal side of property transactions is a chore, but they seem to be able to make it pain-free every time. They will be my go-to wherever I might buy property in NZ.
Jacinta
It was a pleasure working with Priyaanka. I particularly appreciated being able to get her advice at short notice when I was putting the offer in for a property - that was an exciting time! I also found the first home buyers guide that I downloaded from Govett Quilliam last year to be a good reference. I'd definitely recommend Priyaanka if I come across someone needing a lawyer for a house purchase.
Timothy Aldridge
Property Specialists
Alice Tocher
Partner

Alice Tocher
Partner
Alice has been a Partner of Govett Quilliam since 2014 and has expertise in commercial and property law. Until recently, Alice used her expertise to provide specialist in-house support to several Oil & Gas Corporates. She now leads the Private Client and Property Team, providing legal advice and support to private clients. Alice, together with her team, works hard to provide each client with a bespoke legal experience.
Expertise
Alice has a broad range of property and commercial law experience. She has worked with all manner of clients from a national infrastructure company, oil and gas corporates, property developers and farmers through to local entrepreneurs and business owners and residential home buyers and sellers. She has developed particular expertise in property rights and interests, including land access agreements, easement agreements, commercial leases, subdivisions, and residential and commercial sales and purchases. In acting for you, Alice focuses on getting to know you and your business. She strongly believes that developing a good working relationship with her clients is first and foremost.
Alice's experience includes:
- Acting for a variety of home buyers and sellers.
- Assisting commercial clients with leasing, commercial property sale and purchases, shareholder and partnership agreements
- Assisting farming clients with buying and selling farms, rural leases and succession planning
- Providing legal support and advice to oil and gas companies in New Zealand and Australia.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Alice enjoys spending her spare time with her husband, her two young children, Charlotte and William, and her friends. She appreciates good food and keeps fit by running and playing hockey. Alice is a board member of the Taranaki Hockey Federation.

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Partner
Geoff Shearer
Consultant

Geoff Shearer
Consultant
Expertise
Geoff’s speciality is rural law and he has built up
Geoff also has considerable experience in all residential and commercial conveyancing areas and the formation and administration of family trusts.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Geoff is the Chairman of the Inglewood Development Trust, an honorary solicitor to Taranaki Golf Association and solicitor to many local sporting organisations and schools.
Geoff is a keen golfer and enjoys fishing, tennis, rugby and cricket.

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Consultant
Rod Gordon
Consultant

Rod Gordon
Consultant
Rod Gordon began his practice in Stratford in 1976. Following the amalgamation of Rod Gordon Solicitor and Barrister and Govett Quilliam in 2022, Rod is now a consultant in our Stratford office.
Expertise
Rod specialises in rural and residential conveyancing, trusts, commercial work, and estates. He is genuinely passionate about the practice of law and is relishing the opportunity to continue to represent the interests of his current and future clients, as a consultant with GQ.
Rod undertakes legal work for many community, school and charitable organisations in the central Taranaki area on an honorary solicitor basis.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Rod was born and bred in Stratford, and lives there with his wife Maree. Rod has four adult children and is a very proud grandfather. When he is not spending time with his family, Rod likes to head out for some hunting and fishing - both saltwater and fresh.

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Consultant
Richard Williams
Senior Associate

Richard Williams
Senior Associate
Richard joined Govett Quilliam in October 2022 as a Senior Associate in our Property Law Team. Richard will be working across our New Plymouth and Stratford Teams.
Expertise
Richard qualified into a London corporate law firm in 2005. In 2008 Richard emigrated to New Zealand and practised in Auckland for three years before moving to Taranaki in 2010 where he has been in practise for the last 12 years. Richard has a wealth of experience in Property, Commercial and Trusts law.
- Property Law - Commercial, residential and rural (sales, purchases and leasing)
- Company and Commercial Law - Contract preparation and review, business sales and purchases
- Trusts & Wills
Richard's attentive and caring nature allows him to fully understand his clients needs, and provide a uniquely personalised service to his loyal client base. Approachable and friendly, Richard is proactive and meets his client’s expectations on time and on budget.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Outside of Govett Quilliam you will often find Richard training for his next running event! Richard is an avid road and trail runner, and has completed numerous, half, full and ultra-marathons.
Richard takes great pride in his involvement in the Taranaki Community. He is currently a Committee Member of the Stratford Business Association and was previously a board member of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and served on Sport Taranaki's board for three years.

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Senior Associate
Priyaanka Khatri
Associate

Priyaanka Khatri
Associate
Priyaanka started at Govett Quilliam as an intern in June 2017 and joined the term permanently in January 2018. Priyaanka worked within the Commercial Team then headed by Paul Anderson before joining the Property Team headed by Alice Tocher and Geoff Shearer in February 2019.
Expertise
In the area of Property Law, Priyaanka has experience in contractual review, conveyancing, leasing, residential build contracts, and property refinancing, and can provide general advice in all areas of Property Law. Priyaanka is developing an understanding of covenants, easements and other associated property documentation relevant for the protection of client’s rights and obligations.
In the Commercial Law area, Priyaanka has experience in reviewing contractual terms of commercial agreements and leases, and has worked on a variety of small to medium business sales and purchases. Her areas of work in this area include contractual review, business sales and purchases, commercial property sales and purchases, commercial refinancing and commercial leasing.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Priyaanka dedicates a lot of her spare time to fitness and keeping active. She enjoys getting out to local eateries and events involving food, art and music. Priyaanka also enjoys exploring the beautiful outdoors of Taranaki and getting away on weekends for adventures further afield.

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Associate
Jack Hutchinson
Associate

Jack Hutchinson
Associate
Jack joined Govett Quilliam in March 2019. Jack worked within the Family Team before joining the Property Team headed by Alice Tocher and Geoff Shearer in April 2021.
Jack mainly works from our Inglewood office, but can be found in the New Plymouth office on Wednesday and Thursday.
Expertise
Jack works on a variety of property matters, with experience in conveyancing, leases, and refinancing, and can provide general advice on all other property matters.
Much of Jack’s work has a rural focus, and he can also provide advice on trusts and succession planning.
Jack has a background in family law, with experience in all general family law matters, including contracting out agreements and separation agreements.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Originally from Northland, Jack enjoys surfing, and enjoys exploring the local Taranaki surf breaks. Jack is also a keen rugby player, albeit in a very social capacity, and can be found on the rugby field during winter months.
Jack also volunteers at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

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Associate
Katrina Lyons
Law Clerk

Katrina Lyons
Law Clerk
Katrina joined GQ in November 2022, as a Law Clerk in our rural and property teams. Katrina works from our New Plymouth and Inglewood offices.
Expertise
Katrina is from a dairy farming family in Hawkes Bay, and it's that farming upbringing that ignited Katrina's passion for the agriculture sector and rural law. Katrina has recently completed her Law and Management Studies (Agribusiness) degrees at the University of Waikato. Both Katrina's personal background and study give her the knowledge and insight to draw from to provide specialist rural law advice for clients.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
New to Taranaki, Katrina is keen on getting involved in the rural community, checking out the beaches, cafes, and outdoor activities that Taranaki has to offer.

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Law Clerk
Margaret Steiner-Joyce
Consultant

Margaret Steiner-Joyce
Consultant
Margaret is a very experienced Registered Legal Executive and Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. She joined Govett Quilliam in 1986 and was made a Consultant in 2004. Margaret has a special interest in rural matters affecting farmers.
Expertise
As a dairy farmer and business owner herself, Margaret has experience in hands on dairying as well as legal issues concerning farmers.
Margaret has also dealt and continues to deal with farmers negotiating with oil companies, buying and selling dairy farms, residential property matters, wills, trusts, commercial business sales and trusts. Margaret has a good relationship with many outside organisations.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Margaret has five children and is actively involved in the PTA at Sacred Heart Girls' College New Plymouth, as well as the St Josephs Church community in New Plymouth. In addition to her work at GQ, Margaret also owns and operates the Oakura Beach Front Apartments.
Margaret enjoys ballet, farming and spending time with her family.

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Consultant
Karen Wood
Registered Legal Executive

Karen Wood
Registered Legal Executive
Karen has been a valued member of GQ since 1976. She is a Senior Legal Executive and is part of our Private Client Team. Prior to joining this
Her areas of expertise include conveyancing of commercial, private and farming properties, business transactions, trusts, Wills and finance matters.
Expertise
Karen has extensive knowledge regarding conveyancing, refinancing and generally assisting private clients regarding their on-going needs.
Karen has a large loyal client base and many of her clients are generational with the children of her original clients now seeking her legal expertise.
Karen has been involved with trusts, asset protection, Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney. Buying and selling of farm properties is also an area that Karen enjoys.
Over the years Karen has been involved with subdivisions and works closely with clients to achieve their goals within the timeframes required.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Karen has two sons who have semi flown the nest (maybe not so financially) so she has more time to spend on her own pursuits. She enjoys visiting the wonderful places Taranaki has to offer and one of the highlights of each year is visiting the various gardens in the Garden Spectacular.

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Registered Legal Executive
Suzanne Duke
Registered Legal Executive

Suzanne Duke
Registered Legal Executive
Suzanne joined Govett Quilliam in April 2006 as a Legal Secretary and was promoted to Legal Executive in February 2014. Suzanne has over ten years' experience working in Taranaki law firms. She gained her Legal Executive Certificate in 2011. Suzanne supports Alice Tocher and Paul Franklin in conveyancing and commercial matters.
Expertise
Suzanne specialises in conveyancing and commercial work, and in particular the area of residential conveyancing and refinancing matters.
Suzanne's experience includes:
- Residential sale and purchases;
- Rural sale and purchases;
- Refinancing;
- Change of trustees;
- Small subdivisions.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Suzanne enjoys spending time with family, travelling, learning the guitar and keeping fit.

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Registered Legal Executive
Beth Seaver
Registered Legal Executive

Beth Seaver
Registered Legal Executive
Beth is currently away on maternity leave.
Beth is a legal executive in the Property Team.
Beth joined Govett Quilliam in January 2021, and has been working in the legal industry in the Taranaki and Wellington regions since 2007.
Expertise
Beth specialises in residential conveyancing, refinancing, subdivisions, enduring powers of attorney, and wills. She particularly enjoys assisting first home buyers.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Beth loves spending time with her family and friends, and getting outdoors to find new places to explore. She also enjoys a wide range of sports, and plays social netball and basketball.

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Registered Legal Executive
Sandy Ellice
Registered Legal Executive

Sandy Ellice
Registered Legal Executive
Sandy originally joined Govett Quilliam in 1978 and left after a few years to have her family. Sandy returned in 1994 and worked as a personal assistant to John Eagles for some years before undertaking and completing her Legal Executive qualification. She was made a Fellow of the Legal Executives Institute of New Zealand in May 2012.
Expertise
Sandy works as a legal executive in the Inglewood office and undertakes a large portion of the conveyancing generated through that office. She is also responsible for
She also has a keen interest in elder law and is responsible for estate administration at the Inglewood office.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Sandy enjoys her grandchildren, the outdoors, travel and dancing (all genres but mainly ceroc and ballroom).

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Registered Legal Executive
Nola Hall
Trust Account Support & Administration

Nola Hall
Trust Account Support & Administration
Nola worked at Rod Gordon Solicitor and Barrister for 14 years before the amalgamation of Rod Gordon Solicitor and Barrister and Govett Quilliam in 2022. Nola provides administrative and trust account support to our Personal Planning and Property Teams.
Expertise
As well as her extensive legal experience, Nola has a strong background in banking, having worked for the ANZ for 14 years in a variety of roles from teller to management.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Nola has a keen interest in animals, having gained a Vet Nursing Certificate and Large Animal Technician. This comes in handy as she has a large huntaway dog named Boss and four cats! Nola also enjoys pilates, reading, walking, movies and solving a good jigsaw.

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Trust Account Support & Administration
Carolyn Voce
Legal Support

Carolyn Voce
Legal Support
Carolyn has been with Govett Quilliam since 2005 and is a Personal Assistant in the Inglewood office. She enjoys the role and has learnt a lot in her time at GQ.
Expertise
In 2012 she gained her Legal Executive Diploma which was a great achievement studying while bringing up two children..
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Now that her children are older and independent she enjoys "me time" in her gardens, walking, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
She has also joined Canine Friends and now takes her dog Storm for weekly visits to Marinoto Rest Home in Inglewood where he gets heaps of pats and cuddles with the residents.

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Legal Support
Julie Peterson
Legal Support

Julie Peterson
Legal Support
On leaving school in 1975 Julie was employed by Deem & Shearer (which then merged with Govett Quilliam) and she has been with us ever since.
Following the merger with Govett Quilliam in 2004 she became a qualified Legal Executive after obtaining her NZLS Legal Executive Diploma.
Expertise
Julie works primarily as a Legal Support to our property and rural teams which keeps her busy and engaged.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Julie is involved in volunteer work in her spare time, and also enjoys reading, knitting and watching sport.

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Legal Support
Stacey Duckett
Legal Support

Stacey Duckett
Legal Support
Stacey has been with GQ since 2009. After working full time for over 5 years she took some time off to raise her daughter and is now back part time as legal support for our property team.
Expertise
Stacey has worked in the industry for just under 20 years and qualified as a Legal Executive in 2005. She now provides legal support to the property team.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Stacey is married with a step son and a young daughter. Her and her husband own an automotive workshop in Vogeltown and in their spare time they enjoy eating out at the local cafes/restaurants, getting outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

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Legal Support
Maureen Tunnicliff
Legal Support

Maureen Tunnicliff
Legal Support
Maureen worked at Rod Gordon Solicitor and Barrister for six years before the amalgamation of Rod Gordon Solicitor and Barrister and Govett Quilliam in 2022. Maureen provides legal support to our Property Team.
Expertise
Maureen has a strong legal background. As well as her recent work with Rod Gordon, Maureen worked for two years at Till Henderson King Lawyers, and before that, spent over 17 years working at Billings Solicitors (now Connect Legal). Aside from her legal experience, Maureen has had a varied career, including roles at the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, Hospice Taranaki and Kaimata School.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Maureen enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She likes to travel and participate in half-marathon events around our beautiful country. Maureen's sporting endeavours include participating in the inaugural Coastal Five event, completing 42.2 km over two days. When she can, Maureen also likes to volunteer at local sporting events and the Festival of Lights.

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Legal Support
Megan Rookes
Client Experience & Legal Support

Megan Rookes
Client Experience & Legal Support
Megan worked at Rod Gordon Solicitor and Barrister for 12 years before the amalgamation of Rod Gordon Solicitor and Barrister and Govett Quilliam in 2022.
Expertise
Megan has extensive customer service experience, and as well as looking after our Stratford clients, provides legal support to our Property Team.
Outside of Govett Quilliam
Megan likes to spend time with family and is currently planning a wedding! She also enjoys travelling, watching a movie or reading a good book.

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Client Experience & Legal Support