Joanne Johnson

With over 35 years of experience across property law, finance, and development, I have delivered large-scale housing projects in both the public and private sectors. My background includes establishing and managing a substantial mezzanine property finance company over a 15-year period, complemented by a legal foundation. This provides deep expertise in complex financial and legal structures, land acquisition and disposal, contract negotiation, and the commercial aspects of property sales and delivery.

I bring an extensive network across the property, finance, and legal sectors, and a proven ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. I am an experienced communicator, having chaired meetings and prepared and presented papers to boards and senior decision-makers. My career spans development finance, operations, sales, and delivery roles, with a track record of leading high-performing teams and projects through the full property lifecycle.

I am experienced in project analysis and business case preparation, guiding developments through approval processes while managing risk, budget, and programme outcomes. An entrepreneurial and strategic thinker, I am adept at identifying opportunities within the property cycle and negotiating commercially sound outcomes. I lead with a collaborative and pragmatic approach, enabling teams to perform effectively while maintaining a focus on delivery.

I hold legal and project management qualifications, as well as a Site Safe passport. I also actively invest in and renovate residential property, maintaining a current and practical understanding of the Auckland market.

Work Opportunities: I am looking for Board positions, part-time or short-term contract work in the property, legal or finance sectors.

Consultant & Property Coach - Consultant & Property Coach

(2024-09)

Project Director - Large-Scale Projects - Tamaki Regeneration Company Limited

(2022-10 - 2024-09)

• Led the delivery of housing on 5 super lots as part of TRC’s start-up development arm under a newly established End-to-End process. Worked closely with Kāinga Ora for the delivery of build‑ready land
• Procured and led a consultant team for preparation of RC and EPA; procured build partners and negotiated contract terms; collaborated with diverse stakeholders
• Obtained resource consent for 5 super lots delivering 273 homes featuring terrace and three‑level walk‑up apartment typologies for public and affordable housing, meeting Homestar 6 and Lifemark 4 standards
• Built strong relationships to resolve project issues with iwi, Auckland City Council Premium Team, Auckland Transport, Parks, Healthy Waters, Vector/Northpower, Watercare, and TRC internal stakeholders

Project Director - Large-Scale Projects - Northcote & Oranga - Kāinga Ora, Homes and Communities - Auckland

(2022-01 - 2022-09)

• Led two high-performing teams on the Northcote and Oranga Large‑Scale Projects; working with the LEAD Alliance to deliver build‑ready super lots for 3,000 affordable, market and public homes, with a $390 million budget
• Managed the sale of build‑ready super lots to build partners from tender to contract; reviewing feasibilities, programmes and negotiated contract terms
• Navigated complex stakeholder environments across Kāinga Ora, external parties and government ministries; chaired PCGs to oversee risk management, programme and budget control in alignment with Government housing targets
• Closed out Kāinga Ora’s largest protracted Targeted Outrun Cost at $47.2 million (Oranga - Utilities and Berm Upgrade)
• Managed negotiation with build partners’ contracts to address delivery issues in a market with unprecedented cost escalation to maintain housing supply targets and deliver mutually beneficial outcomes using innovative solutions
• Capitalised on an opportunity to secure a key acquisition with essential infrastructure to secure the delivery of a state housing super lot
• Presented at a public meeting with parliamentary representatives, including the then Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson, on Northcote Large‑Scale Project initiatives

Acting Manager - Affordable Homes Underwrite Programme (KiwiBuild) - Kāinga Ora, Homes and Communities - Auckland

(2020-09 - 2021-12)

• Led a high-performing team to procure affordable housing under the KiwiBuild programme. Provided guidance and coaching to hybrid in office/virtual teams in Auckland and Wellington, later becoming virtual teams during Covid-19. Supported projects through multi‑level approvals from Board, Treasury, and Ministers
• Negotiated underwrite terms with developers, navigated contract issues through to sales to end buyers, and operated in a matrixed environment with extensive stakeholder engagement across Kāinga Ora
• Balanced government policy and programme objectives to deliver housing outcomes, and mitigate political and commercial risks
• Led improvements that streamlined the KiwiBuild process, identified opportunities for better resource utilisation and risk mitigation
• Conducted a review of KiwiBuild contracts to identify potentially at-risk projects, proactively managed delivery risks amid COVID-19 related cost escalations. Led developer renegotiations to ensure project viability and maintain KiwiBuild home delivery

Senior Development Manager - Affordable Homes Underwrite Programme (KiwiBuild) - Kāinga Ora, Homes and Communities - Auckland

(2019-01 - 2020-08)

Assessed residential property projects for the KiwiBuild Underwrite Programme, analysing feasibilities and RC’s; prepared due diligence reports, board papers and ministerial briefings for project approval; managed developer contract negotiations; oversaw projec

Senior Development & Contracts Manager - Development Advisory Services Limited

(2015-08 - 2018-01)

Loans & Operations Manager - Reesby & Company Limited, Merchant Bankers

(2000-11 - 2015-07)

Loans Manager - Elders Finance (later Hanover Finance)

(1999-07 - 2000-10)

Legal Executive; Legal Secretary - Glaister Keegan (previously Glaister Ennor), Solicitors - Auckland

(1991-01 - 1999-06)

1998: Legal Executive To 1998: Legal Secretary

Bachelor of Business - Commercial Law, Minor in Management - AUT Auckland (2015 - 2015)

Legal Executive Certificate - Open Polytechnic (1998 - 1998)

NZ Certificate in Financial Services, Level 5 - Open Polytechnic (2024)

Stage 1 Introduction to Operating an Excavator; Psychology of Wellbeing - University of Canterbury (2024 - 2024)

Project Management Fundamentals - Millpond (2022 - 2022)

Advanced Project Management - AUT (2015 - 2015)

various courses in governance, leadership and the REINZ Sales Certificate (prior version)