Real estate consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle picked "20 highlights of the year worthy of comment but in no particular order":
* The completion of Auckland's PricewaterhouseCoopers tower.
* A strong investment sales market, shown in the sale of two Wellington office towers, The Gate at Penrose and Hunters Plaza in South Auckland.
* More investment interest from Australia, Europe and the US.
* Auckland City Council's call for expressions of interest to develop the Britomart precinct.
* Unsatisfied investor demand across most sectors.
* The "joint venture" between Westfield and Auckland One over the Two Double Seven mall expansion in Newmarket.
* The $57 million sale of Kiwi Income Property Trust's management contract to Australians.
* Low retail yields.
* Completion of the HSBC Tower in Wellington, a 24-level block.
* Rising insurance premiums.
* The Local Government Rating Act, which means tenants/occupiers can no longer directly object to a rating valuation that will "raise issues and challenges for property owners and managers".
* Signs of rental growth in industrial and retail sectors.
* The strong residential and apartment market.
* Urbus' purchase of Waltus syndicated property assets.
* Leaky buildings.
* The strong economy and stable, low interest rate environment.
* AMP NZ Property Fund's $190 million sale of a half share of three major retail assets in Auckland to Australia's AMP Diversified Property Trust - Botany Town Centre, Manukau Supa Centa and Lynnmall.
* The consolidation of most of Newmarket Property Trust's unit holdings to the National Property Trust, and Paramount Property Trust's listing.
* Continuing strong education sector, taking 12.5 per cent of Auckland's CBD office stock at June, compared with 9.1 per cent in 2001 and 4.6 per cent in 1998;
* "Could Auckland finally get moving with a better transport network?" JLL asked, ending on a hopeful note.
