Monday, 25 August 2025
*Original Content was created in November 2024
Description
Attend and earn 0.5 CPD hour
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Chair
Denise Marsden, Director, Alexander Dorrington Lawyers
Evolving Urban Development: Navigating Growth, Policy Changes and Climate Impacts
Given New Zealand’s population growth, urban environments are expected to keep up with housing demand and demand from businesses. The path to development is not straightforward, especially given the recent climate-related weather events which have had major impacts on urban areas. In this session, cover the ever-changing legislative environment addressing urban development and its implications:
- Proposed new initiatives, including “Going for housing growth” policy, “granny flat” NES, managed retreat
- Reversed initiatives with impacts on urban development
- What this means for you and your clients
Presented by Ana Coculescu, Senior Associate, Dentons
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key policy changes impacting urban development in New Zealand
- Understand how climate events and legislative shifts affect development planning and legal advice
Presenters
Denise Marsden, Director, Alexander Dorrington LawyersDenise is a leading expert in property law. She has a wealth of knowledge complemented by a true passion for property and people. She is smart, pragmatic and sensible and focuses on outcomes for her clients. Denise has been a director at Alexander Dorrington since 2007. She enjoys leading her team to deliver successful projects and outcomes. Recent Projects: Residential developments including 7 stage 600 lots and 5 stage 300 lots, Redevelopment of mixed use building to enable retail to be converted to residential units and sold, Sale and purchase of commercial properties including industrial, retail and office, Leasing and property advice for a national retailer with 21 stores in New Zealand, CORT Community Housing joint venture with ACC and development programme, Development programme for NZ Living which to date has delivered 287 apartments at Otahuhu, Onehunga and Northcote and 204 under development in Tamaki and Northcote, Hotel acquisitions in Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland and assisting with all legal issues for this accommodation manager with over 500 rooms under management across 13 properties nationally, NZS3910 and NZS3916 Contracts for apartments, industrial buildings
Ana Coculescu, Barrister
Ana Coculescu is an independent environmental, planning, and resource management barrister based in Wellington, New Zealand. With nearly two decades of legal experience across New Zealand and Australia, she specializes in resource consenting, fast-track infrastructure approvals, and climate regulation/ESG compliance. Prior to joining the independent Bar in March 2026, she spent over five years as a Senior Associate in the Environment and Planning team at Dentons Wellington and previously practiced for nearly a decade at top-tier and boutique firms in Sydney, including Baker McKenzie. Dual-admitted to practice in both New Zealand and New South Wales, she holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws in Environmental Law from the University of Sydney, alongside European law degrees from Paris and Aix-Marseille. Her diverse client base spans local councils, private property developers, major corporations like Kmart NZ, and crown entities such as the NZ Transport Agency and the Environmental Protection Authority.
