There are significant regulatory changes along with systemic and new challenges facing the energy and resources sectors, both in New Zealand and around the world.
Ranked Band 1 by independent legal directory Chambers Asia Pacific, our multi-disciplinary team has a long involvement in the New Zealand energy and resources sector.
Clients value our pragmatic approach and hands-on industry knowledge gleaned from working on all sides – as in-house counsel, external professional advisers, regulators and as the regulated. This unique, hands-on expertise has been acknowledged by board appointments in both the public and private sector.
We advise clients on all aspects of their business activities and future development projects, whether developing new infrastructure or decommissioning assets to be phased out. Our team prides itself on providing an end-to-end solution, delivered by specialists at each stage of a project’s lifecycle. We are experienced in managing energy projects from start to finish.
Our work is diverse, we are strongly represented across upstream and mid-stream infrastructure projects and advise downstream and retail businesses across all energy forms such as fuels, gas and electricity. We have worked on the full range of renewable energy projects including solar farm developments, hydro generating assets, wind farms, geothermal plants, waste to energy and hydrogen projects.
We also assist energy companies involved in LPG, petroleum and coal to transition to lower emission profiles.
They are leaders in their field with multiple divisions in the wider organisation to tackle all manner of tasks on complicated commissions.
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023
Recent highlights
Mercury’s Turitea Wind Farm project
Advised Mercury on all aspects of project delivery in respect of both the wind farm development and the associated transmission line. Successfully resolved all claims between the parties under both contracts. The Turitea Wind Farm Project is a nationally significant project and the country's largest windfarm, contributing to New Zealand’s wider climate change objectives and global commitments.
Large scale solar PV projects
Advising an international investment and asset development company on its 1GW portfolio of solar PV projects as part of its longer-term strategic interest in solar opportunities in New Zealand. Including advising on the interface between the various delivery strategies and contracts to ensure that interface risks are identified, mitigated, and managed.
Renewable energy project and template PPAs
Advising the Major Electricity Users’ Group (MEUG) on its ‘Renewable Energy Generation Project’. Providing strategic advice regarding the power purchase structure and the drafting and negotiation of power purchase agreements (PPAs), including for geothermal, wind, and solar electricity generation projects.
Low carbon energy solutions
Working alongside Z Energy on all aspects of its rollout of game-changing EV charging solutions and electricity plans for homes and small businesses.
Z Energy’s divestment of non-core businesses to support a more sustainable future
Assisting Z Energy throughout the divestment process of its non-core business units, including providing strategic advice before 'going to market', managing due diligence, as well as drafting and finalising the sale and purchase agreements.
Ports of Auckland’s hydrogen demonstration facility
Lead advisers to the Ports of Auckland on the legal, commercial, and strategic aspects of the New Zealand’s first hydrogen plant and refuelling station.
Waste-to-energy facility
Advising a global environmental management company, on its joint venture with a New Zealand company to undertake feasibility studies in relation to the build and operation of a waste-to-energy facility.
Renewable energy projects in the Pacific
Advising Infratec, a provider of core competencies in renewable energy, electrical distribution and alternative fuels including solar solutions, with respect to its renewable energy plan projects on a number of Pacific Islands.
Establishment of Drylandcarbon Partnership and Forest Partners Partnership
Advised Z Energy, Air New Zealand, Genesis Energy, and Contact Energy on the establishment of the Drylandcarbon Partnership – a limited liability partnership that invests in a geographically diversified portfolio of exotic forests for both timber and carbon credits. We also advised Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Todd Corporation and Z Energy on their investment in Forest Partners Partnership, a forestry investment fund designed to provide a long-term supply of high-quality carbon credits, as well as high quality timber for the domestic and international market.
