Why do so many development projects go wrong from the start? PDS event highlights and a major event preview for 4 June!

At last month’s Property Development Solutions (PDS) event, PDS advisory committee member Nick Ni gave an insightful presentation on property development strategy.

Addressing the common development question of whether to “build to sell” or “build to rent”, Nick provided an in-depth analysis covering cash flow, financing plans, market cycles and risk management.

He particularly emphasised that the seeds of many development problems are sown before a project begins, rather than during construction. Before buying land, developers and investors should clarify their project positioning, financing arrangements and exit strategy, instead of entering the market with a “buy the land first and figure it out later” mindset.

Attendees said the presentation helped them rethink the fundamentals of development projects and gave them a clearer understanding of project planning and risk control.

While the last event explored overall development strategy, our next event will focus on another crucial part of bringing developments to fruition: policy and approvals.

Following the release of the New Zealand Government’s latest Budget, Budget 2026, housing supply, infrastructure investment and related funding allocations are once again in the market spotlight. For developers and investors, changes in policy direction often directly affect the opportunities and challenges facing future projects. Meanwhile, securing council approvals smoothly and shortening project timeframes remain important development issues that cannot be overlooked.

For our PDS event on 4 June, we have therefore invited two prominent speakers to share the latest insights and practical advice on policy trends and the approval process.

Drawing on the latest Budget, Nancy will explain the Government’s latest policy direction on housing supply, infrastructure development and funding allocations.

With years of experience in council approvals and building inspections, Jeff will share key stages in the approval process, common issues and practical ways to secure approvals more efficiently.

Whether you are a property developer, an investor or a homeowner planning to build, this event will help you better understand the key steps from design through to approval, avoid unnecessary detours and move your project forward faster.