You've found the house. You've maybe even put in an offer. And somewhere in the small print, someone has told you that you need a "conveyancer" or a "property lawyer." Fair enough question: what does one actually do?
Short version. A conveyancer handles the legal side of buying or selling a property, so the place legally ends up in your name and the money ends up in the right account. It's the unglamorous machinery behind the keys in your hand. Here's what that involves, why it matters, and who's allowed to do it.
The one-line answer
A conveyancer moves a property from the seller's name into yours, legally and safely. They check what you're actually buying, handle the contract, sort the money, and register the change of ownership with the government.
That's it. Everything below is detail.
What they do, step by step
A typical purchase runs through a handful of stages. Your conveyancer is involved in most of them.
Before you're locked in
- Reviews your Sale & Purchase Agreement. Before you go unconditional, they read the contract, explain the conditions, and flag anything that could bite you later. More on that in our Sale & Purchase Agreement guide.
- Searches the title. They pull the official record from Landonline (the government's land register) to confirm the seller actually owns the place and check for anything attached to the title, like easements, covenants, or a cross-lease.
- Reviews the LIM and other reports. The council's record of the property: consents, drainage, flood risk, unpaid rates. They tell you what's worth worrying about.
Once you're committed
- Sorts your KiwiSaver withdrawal. If you're pulling from KiwiSaver for your deposit, your conveyancer signs off the withdrawal and gives your provider a formal undertaking. This one takes 10 to 15 working days, so it gets started early.
- Handles the bank's paperwork. They receive the bank's instructions, prepare your mortgage documents, and get everything signed correctly.
- Verifies your identity. A legal requirement before they can act for you, usually done with photo ID and an Authority and Instruction form you sign in front of a witness.
On the day
- Settles the purchase. On settlement day they move the money (your deposit, your KiwiSaver, the bank's loan) to the seller's side, then register the transfer so the title is officially yours.
- Confirms you're done. Once it's registered, they tell you it's settled, and you go get the keys.
Conveyancer or property lawyer: what's the difference?
People use the words loosely, but they're not quite the same thing.
| Conveyancing practitioner | Property lawyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Can do your conveyancing | Yes | Yes |
| Regulated and insured | Yes (NZ Society of Conveyancers) | Yes (NZ Law Society) |
| Can give wider legal advice (wills, trusts, disputes) | No | Yes |
| Typical use | Standard home purchase | Home purchase plus anything complex |
For a standard first-home purchase, a qualified conveyancing practitioner does exactly the same job as a property lawyer, and is fully regulated and insured to do it. If your situation gets complicated (a family trust, a relationship-property angle, an estate), that's when you specifically want a lawyer.
Either way, in New Zealand only a few people are legally allowed to do this work: lawyers and registered conveyancing practitioners holding a current practising certificate. A real estate agent can prepare the contract and hold your deposit, but they can't give you legal advice on it. That's not a Kemba rule, it's the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act.
So do you actually need one?
For all practical purposes, yes. The bank won't release your loan without a conveyancer or lawyer acting on the purchase, and you legally can't register the transfer of the title yourself. It's not a nice-to-have. It's the part that makes the house yours.
The good news: it doesn't have to be a stack of mystery invoices and unanswered emails. That's the bit we built Kemba to fix. One fixed price, a dashboard that tells you what's happening, and real NZ-qualified people doing the legal work.
Frequently asked questions
What is conveyancing in simple terms?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. It covers checking the title, handling the contract, managing the money, and registering the new owner with Land Information New Zealand.
Is a conveyancer cheaper than a lawyer?
Often, yes, because conveyancing practitioners specialise in property and qualify through a focused pathway. But price depends on the firm, not the title. At Kemba it's a fixed $2,000 + GST either way, so you're not guessing. See our guide on conveyancing costs.
Can I do my own conveyancing in New Zealand?
In practice, no. Only lawyers and registered conveyancing practitioners can access Landonline to register a property transfer, and your bank won't lend without one acting on the purchase.
When should I engage a conveyancer?
As early as you can, ideally before you sign anything. Having someone review your Sale & Purchase Agreement before you go unconditional is one of the most useful things a conveyancer does.
What's the difference between a conveyancer and a real estate agent?
The agent works to sell the property and can prepare the contract and hold your deposit. Your conveyancer works for you, gives you legal advice on the deal, and handles the legal transfer. They're on different sides.