'Formidable' litigator wins two property awards

Sue Simons won the Property Council's top award. Photo/Brett Phibbs

Top NZ property experts honoured with Property Council awards

A "formidable" Auckland litigator has won two Property Council's award, including its top excellence award.

Sue Simons, an environmental law specialist and a founder of Berry Simons in Shortland St, last night won the Auckland branch excellence award and the associate of the year award, named for her Resource Management Act specialty.

"Her knowledge and expertise are unparalleled and when combined with her driven, unrelenting work ethic, she is a formidable defender of the Auckland property industry.
Whatever project she is involved in, she gets results, from the industrial rezoning of Highbrook to the comprehensive plan change that has resulted in the highly successful Pokeno development.

"We were impressed with her breadth of expertise, her commitment to her roles as an advisor, speaker, supporter and ongoing political advocate and the financial benefits she has created industry wide," the judge said.

Peter Felh, Auckland University's property chief with more than 30 years' experience, won the judges' choice award for "an impressive record of accomplishment. A stalwart of the construction industry, Peter has had arguably the longest building programme of the last decade."

Peter Fehl won the judges' choice award.

Ludo Campbell-Reid, Auckland Council's first design champion, won for his "vision, infectious energy and invocation," transforming once-neglected Auckland CBD streets, including Fort St, into shared spaces where cars and people mingle.

Kiwi Property New Lynn's The Brickworks dining and entertainment at Lynnmall won the best project team award.

Chris Gudgeon, Kiwi chief executive, won a leadership award, having been appointed in 2008 and the judges said he led New Zealand's largest listed property company.

Chris Gudgeon of Kiwi won an outstanding leadership award.

Dominique Dowding of Alexandra Park won a women in property award for managing the transformation of the raceway's carpark into a new apartment hub, a job which is ongoing.

John Dakin, Goodman Property Trust chief executive, won an award for service, "using his considerable drive and focus to significantly improve and grow the New Zealand property industry."

John Dakin of Goodman won an award for service.

Lloyd Budd of Bayleys won the young achiever award.