Next Generation Partners

Leading Associates

Transport (rail, road, air and sea) in New Zealand

Buddle Findlay

Buddle Findlay fields a department comprised of lawyers with corporate, environmental, resource management, commercial, banking, competition and Māori law expertise. The team, which is predominantly focused on the road and rail industries, advises on a broad-range of mandates including regulation, policy, resource management and property, through to commercial, construction, employment and procurement law. Based in Auckland, environmental litigator Jennifer Caldwell co-leads the team alongside Paul Beverley, a Wellington lawyer with a formidable track record in resource management planning and consenting processes. Tom Bennett is likewise based in Auckland, where he specialises in procurement, local government and construction affairs.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paul Beverley; Jennifer Caldwell


Autres avocats clés:

Tom Bennett; David Allen; Vanessa Evitt


Les références

‘Tom Bennett is technically brilliant, and his calm yet unyielding demeanor is effective is negotiations.’

‘The Buddle Findlay team are deeply committed to supporting great transport outcomes and are trusted advisors who can be relied on to provide strategic guidance as well as sound legal services on transport projects. ’

‘Jennifer Caldwell is an amazing industry leader with true mana and intellect. She has great strategic understanding and emotional intelligence.’

Principaux clients

Auckland Transport


Auckland Council


Auckland Light Rail


Centre Port


Let’s Get Wellington Moving


Snapper


Wellington International Airport


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Auckland Light Rail Ltd (together with Simpson Grierson) on the detailed business case, consenting and property acquisition work for the Auckland Light Rail project from Auckland City through to Auckland International Airport.
  • Acting for the Let’s Get Wellington Moving partners on their proposed Transformational Programme, a generational transport initiative to shape Wellington, incorporating a new Mass Rapid Transit system, new tunnels, and other significant improvements to the urban state highway network.
  • Advising Auckland Transport and Auckland Council on the City Rail Link (CRL) project, being New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project with a projected completion cost of NZ$5.5billion.

Dentons New Zealand

Dentons New Zealand’s transport practice draws from the firm’s wider projects, construction, environment, planning, banking, property and corporate practices. The team has an in-depth knowledge of sectors including road, rail, ferries, bridges, public transport and cycling and distinguishes itself through its ability to support at all stages of a project lifecycle, including PPPs. In Auckland, Matthew Ockleston leverages his knowledge of the Public Works Act 1981 to support on public land acquisitions, meanwhile Paul Buetow focuses on significant infrastructure projects; the duo co-leads the team alongside Christina Sheard, an expert in the Resource Management Act.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christina Sheard; Paul Buetow; Matthew Ockleston


Autres avocats clés:

Nicky McIndoe; Christina Sheard; Ana Coculescu


Les références

‘The Dentons practice that supports our team is pragmatic and practical. We find this is really important as we want advice to the business to be solutions-focused. They also have strengths in particular areas of capability including public works and RMA.’

‘Individuals we work with stand out for their approach to their practice, including being very personable, practical and pragmatic. We also value their deep knowledge of particular areas including public works, corporate and commercial property and resource management.’

‘Dentons’ core strength is taking the time to understand the needs of the client and providing fit-for-purpose legal advice and services. They are excellent collaborators and are able to engage confidently with the wide-range of other technical experts involved in project development.’

Principaux clients

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency


KiwiRail


CentrePort


Airways


CentrePort


Hawke’s Bay Airport


Te Waihanga New Zealand Infrastructure Commission


Tāmaki Regeneration Limited


Fletcher Building Limited


Oji Fibre Solutions


Downer New Zealand


CPB Contractors/ CIMIC


Leighs Construction


Naylor Love


Ghella Limited


Calibre


Hawkins 2017


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Waka Kotahi on various issues related to Transmission Gully Project, including amendments to consents, compliance, and new consents required.
  • Acting for CentrePort in High Court judicial review of an adjudicator’s decision (GK Shaw v Green & Anor), which involved novel issues as regards the scope of the jurisdiction and powers of adjudicators under the Construction Contracts Act 2002.
  • Providing legal advice required by P2W Services Ltd in relation to the Puhoi to Warkworth Project, one of the seven PPPs that have been carried out in New Zealand to date.

Russell McVeagh

The team at Russell McVeagh acts for operators, owners, investors, infrastructure funders and the New Zealand Government on a broad variety of matters across the aviation, airport, shipping, port, rail and road industries. In Wellington, Mei-Fern Johnson serves as a specialist in joint ventures, commercial contracting and project work, serving as practice co-head alongside Auckland-based Daniel Minhinnick, who often represents developers involved in schemes with major transport elements; he works alongside Allison Arthur-Young, an authority in district and regional planning, resource management and public law issues, as well as water, wastewater and municipal waste expert Simon Pilkinton.

Responsables de la pratique:

Daniel Minhinnick; Mei Fern Johnson


Autres avocats clés:

Allison Arthur-Young; Simon Pilkinton; Craig Shrive


Les références

‘Russell McVeagh provides us with the perfect balance between deep industry knowledge, legal intelligence and agile responsiveness. They also demonstrate a good focus on value delivery by resourcing appropriately to the task at hand.’

‘Mei Fern Johnson is a standout. She knows our client needs intimately, and engages fully to understand the specifics of a brief before handing off to carefully selected subject matter experts. She is attentive and always available; deeply knowledgeable but also able to draws out key issues from free ranging conversations.’

Principaux clients

KiwiRail


Stevenson Group


Auckland International Airport


Waste Management New Zealand


Bank of New Zealand


Ports of Auckland


Nelson Airport


Rotorua Airport


Invercargill Airport


Port CEO Group


Queenstown Airport


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Auckland Airport on planning approvals for a longer second runway at Auckland Airport. As the primary gateway to New Zealand, the Airport is a strategic infrastructure asset of regional and national significance.
  • Advising Ports of Auckland on its proposal to deepen part of the Waitematā Harbour and Rangitoto Channel over 35 years with the staged removal and relocation of up to 2.5 million m3 of material. This is to allow for larger vessels to access the Waitematā Harbour.
  • Advising KiwiRail on arrangements for interfacing of the City Rail Link to the national and Auckland metro rail network. The project is the most expensive public transport project in New Zealand.

Simpson Grierson

Simpson Grierson‘s transport team is highly acclaimed for its work within the road, public transport, rail, aviation, and shipping industries, among others. The department is spearheaded by Bill Loutit, an infrastructure and urban renewal project expert, and also features Michael Wood who focuses on property transactions, developments and leasing-related matters. The duo is based in Auckland alongside Michael Weatherall, noted for his front-end construction prowess.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bill Loutit


Autres avocats clés:

Michael Wood; Michael Weatherall; Nick Wilson; Sarah Mitchell


Principaux clients

Auckland Light Rail Limited


City Rail Link Ltd


Auckland Transport


Auckland Council


CPB Contractors Limited


Wellington City Council


Tauranga City Council


Queenstown Lakes District Council


Christchurch City Council


Toll Holdings


Transdev New Zealand


NZ Transport Agency


Port Nelson Ltd


Port of Napier Ltd


Watercare Services Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Auckland Transport and the Eastern Busway Alliance on resource consent applications, Notices of Requirements and the acquisition of land to enable the development of the NZ$1.4bn Eastern Busway Project.
  • Lead legal adviser for the City Rail Link (CRL) Project, the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand at an estimated cost of NZ$5.4bn.
  • Joint legal advisors, together with Buddle Findlay, on the cNZ$14bn Auckland Light Rail project. This transformative public transport will connect two major employment hubs, Auckland CBD and Auckland International Airport, and halve the travel time between them.

Anthony Harper

Anthony Harper is well-known for its knowledge of commercial and contentious matters alike. The team acts on matters involving the array of modes of transport in work including M&A, procurement, contractual agreements, litigious claims, relevant legalisation and financing mandates. Chris Dann, who is based in Christchurch, leads the practice and operates across the shipping, air, road, rail carriage, port, vessel procurement and freight forwarding fields.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chris Dann


Les références

‘This practice has taken the time and invested its energy into learning the complexities and realities of ocean transport and port operations.’

‘The partners are invested in the transportation and port vertical markets. Additionally, they are investing in their associates and junior staff to instil their experience.’

‘This firm is a cut above the rest. Personal care, exceptional service. Great outcomes.’

Principaux clients

Americold


Ports of Auckland Limited


CentrePort Limited


Lineage Logistics


First Global Logistics


GCH Aviation


Hellmann Worldwide Logistics


Hilton Haulage


Strait NZ


Kings Transport and Logistics


Kuehne + Nagel


Lyttelton Port Company Limited


Mercedes-Benz Group AG


Port of Tauranga


Rhenus Logistics


Scales Storage and Logistics


KiwiRail


Move Logistics


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising CentrePort on multiple rail, road and ferry freight services arrangements for its critical, long-term and high value CentreConnect service.
  • Advising leading freight carrier and ferry operator, StraitNZ on critically important questions regarding its transport service licence, including regulatory responsibilities and risks in respect of driver licensing and infringement offences and chain of responsibility.
  • Acting for Lyttelton Port Company, the largest seaport in the South Island, in relation to various matters including customer demurrage claims and container terminal services agreements with some of the largest international shipping lines in the world.

Bell Gully

Bell Gully is active across the aviation, maritime, ports, road and rail industries, often supporting on an array of landmark projects as well as on corporate, competition, employment and development mandates. Based in Auckland, Torrin Crowther is a cartel and M&A specialist, who has notably acted for Air New Zealand for over 20 years; he serves as practice head alongside David Chisnall, a Wellington lawyer with a prominent track record in real estate.

Responsables de la pratique:

Torrin Crowther; David Chisnall


Autres avocats clés:

Natasha Garvan


Principaux clients

Air New Zealand


Auckland Transport


Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency


City Rail Limited


Port Marlborough


CentrePort


Tainui Group Holdings


Tauranga City Council


Supporting Growth Alliance


Let’s Get Wellington Moving (Riverlink)


Principaux dossiers


  • Appointed as joint legal adviser to Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM), a NZ$7.4bn transformational city-shaping programme for Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington.
  • Advising Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) on Te Tupu Ngātahi (The Supporting Growth Alliance), the largest professional services alliance to be established in Australasia, and the first of its kind in respect of establishing an interrelated transport network in multiple areas.
  • Advising Greater Wellington Regional Council on the RiverLink Alliance, with the other participants being Hutt City Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. In excess of NZ$700m, this is one of the largest projects underway in the Wellington region.

Hesketh Henry

Clients of Hesketh Henry's transport practice include shipyards, shipbrokers, logistics companies, port agents, marine insurers and P&I clubs, in addition to vessel, yacht and pleasure craft owners and operators. The team is headed by Simon Cartwright, who notably advises on English law contracts, and is adept handling a broad variety of disputes, examples of which include build and repairs, vessel arrests, and claims relating to cargo, collisions and shipbuilding. Alan Sherlock is likewise well-versed in marine insurance matters, whilst associate Colin Hunter is praised for his ‘excellent interpersonal skills’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Simon Cartwright


Autres avocats clés:

Alan Sherlock; Colin Hunter


Les références

‘Hesketh Henry provide a full schedule of marine legal services, and does so on a level that puts the client at ease without overwhelming them with legal concepts and intricacies. The interaction leaves the client feeling they are dealing with someone who understands and cares about the client’s business.’

‘Both Simon Cartwright and Colin Hunter have excellent interpersonal skills, timely comms, availability, and provide quality advice formed of a good blend of legal and commercial considerations.’

‘Practical advice with good understanding of international law and practice.’

Principaux clients

Charterers P & I Club


Maritime Mutual Insurance Association (NZ) Limited


Vero Marine


Principaux dossiers


  • Successfully obtained a permanent anti-suit injunction on behalf of Maritime Mutual Insurance Association (NZ) Ltd in respect of a certain vessel, understood to be the first successful anti-suit injunction in New Zealand to enforce an arbitration agreement.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts

MinterEllisonRuddWatts transport team's core fields of expertise include road, rail, aviation, ports, maritime, logistics and haulage. In September 2022, the Wellington office welcomed Lisa Curran from Simpson Grierson, who has a track record in both UK and New Zealand-based infrastructure projects. The team is headed nationally from Auckland by Sarah Sinclair whose workload spans construction, resource management, infrastructure funding models and procurement strategies, among other matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sarah Sinclair


Autres avocats clés:

Lisa Curran; John Conlan


Les références

‘Incredible relationships within the entire transportation industry. Complex issues are resolved quickly.’

Principaux clients

Fullers Group


Go Bus


Ministry of Transport | Te Manatū Waka


NZ Bus


Ritchies Transport


Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency


Wellington Gateway Partnership


Z Energy Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Crown on the largest transport infrastructure project ever to be undertaken in New Zealand, the City Rail Link project.
  • Advising Wellington Gateway Partnership, the PPP contractor, on all aspects of the 27km, NZD1billion+ Transmission Gully motorway, a key component of the Wellington Northern Corridor Road of National Significance.
  • Assisting Fullers to negotiate a package of agreements with Auckland Transport, which will provide sustainable public transport ferry services in Auckland.

Wilson Harle

Home to an experienced admiralty and maritime law practice, Wilson Harle is well-regarded among its client roster of vessel owners, international carriers, insurers, P&I Clubs and port companies. The practice is co-headed from Auckland by Chris Browne and Allison Ferguson, alongside Felicity Monteiro, who is acclaimed for her disputes work which includes cargo claims and admiralty proceedings.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chris Browne; Allison Ferguson; Felicity Monteiro


Principaux clients

Cargill Ocean Transportation (Singapore) Pte Ltd


The Standard Club HK


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Cargill Ocean Transportation (Singapore) Pte Ltd in an admiralty claim brought against it for cargo misdelivery and in its claim against a NZ company for indemnity.
  • Acted for The Standard Club HK in an admiralty claim brought against it for cargo misdelivery.