Kirsten Knights

Nice To Meet You

Director

Water, irrigation and agribusiness lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience advising businesses, landowners and orchardists across Central Otago on irrigation schemes, rural land transactions, estate planning and commercial matters. Kirsten is also a Notary Public providing notarial services for documents to be used overseas.

Areas Of Practice

Based in Alexandra

Kirsten Knights is a Director at Checketts McKay Law with more than 20 years’ experience advising businesses, landowners and rural enterprises across Central Otago. She leads the firm’s Rural, Agribusiness, Water and Irrigation team and is widely recognised for her deep understanding of the region’s irrigation infrastructure and rural economy.

Kirsten acts for several of Central Otago’s major irrigation companies and regularly advises on the complex legal and governance arrangements that underpin irrigation schemes. Her work includes advising on infrastructure agreements, water supply agreements, easements, irrigation company governance and the impact of subdivision or land use changes on irrigation infrastructure.

Alongside her irrigation work, Kirsten advises rural businesses and orchardists on a wide range of commercial and property matters. Her practice includes rural land transactions, commercial and farm conveyancing, business structuring, shareholder arrangements and contract drafting for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Kirsten also has significant experience advising clients on wills, trusts, estates and asset planning. She works closely with families and business owners to structure estate plans that protect assets and support succession planning for future generations.

Earlier in her career Kirsten worked in several legal disciplines including prosecution, youth advocacy and family law. This broad experience enables her to approach legal issues from multiple perspectives and provide balanced, practical advice.

Kirsten is known for her thoughtful and empathetic approach and for taking the time to understand her clients’ businesses and personal circumstances so she can provide clear, practical advice tailored to their needs.

Kirsten is deeply connected to the Central Otago community. She has served on a number of local boards and committees and regularly provides pro bono advice to local organisations.

Kirsten is also a Notary Public and provides notarial services including witnessing and certifying documents for international use.

Representative Experience

Kirsten’s recent experience includes advising on:

Legal governance and operational arrangements for several major irrigation companies in Central Otago
Water supply agreements, irrigation infrastructure agreements, easements and irrigation scheme company administration
Rural land transactions and farm conveyancing for agribusiness clients and orchardists
Advice for internationally owned farming operations in New Zealand
Commercial leasing arrangements including specialised agreements for large commercial developments
Business structuring, shareholder agreements and SME commercial advisory work
Estate planning and succession arrangements for rural families and business owners