Infrastructure enables better social and economic outcomes. We’ll partner with you to help transform New Zealand for good.
Regarded as New Zealand’s leading infrastructure practice, we operate across economic and social infrastructure.
We advise a range of clients, including government, contractors, developers, operators, debt providers and investors and are uniquely placed to provide a continuum of service from driving system and regulatory change to project delivery and beyond.
With a reputation of being easy to work with and delivering timely, high-value outcomes, we bring together a specialist team to manage your risk and achieve the best outcome for your organisation and project.
Working across the total infrastructure system, we are trusted advisers on major infrastructure system transformations, providing strategic legal advice on the design and delivery of new integrated regulatory systems and legislative reform. We have the privilege of being involved in transformational infrastructure projects including Three Waters and Auckland Light Rail from the beginning.
We are New Zealand’s only commercial law firm to act on all major Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), as well as Christchurch’s rebuild Anchor Projects.
Actively influencing and shaping industry developments from the inside out, our specialists are involved in industry organisations and forums Sarah Sinclair is on the board of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts is far and away my firm of choice for construction and infrastructure advice…They have a stable, very experienced team and have an unmatched knowledge of the sector, setting and context.
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022
Supporting the Government in its transformative reform programme to improve the regulation and supply arrangements of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater (Three Waters) to better support New Zealand’s prosperity, health, safety and environment. Our advice includes legislative reform, entity design and governance, economic regulation, public law and commercial contracts.
As trusted advisers to the Crown, we have been involved in all aspects of the Auckland Light Rail (ALR) project from the outset. ALR is a NZD$15 billion transformational infrastructure project which will connect the Auckland CBD with the Auckland international airport. ALR will be a key component of Auckland’s future transport network and, while it started life as a mass transit project, it has evolved into a project with a strong urban development focus and its scope now extends to the development and construction of urban regeneration along its route.
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. Transmission Gully is the first roading project in New Zealand procured through a PPP model.
Sole adviser to the Crown on the largest transport project ever to be undertaken in New Zealand - The City Rail Link (CRL) project. CRL is a NZD4.4billion, 3.45km twin-tunnel underground rail link up to 42m below Auckland’s CBD. The project will transform the Britomart Transport Centre into a two-way through-station that better connects the Auckland rail network and allows the rail network to at least double its capacity.
Since 2011, advising CERA and subsequently Ōtākaro on all aspects of the planning, procurement, delivery, completion and ownership transfer of the Anchor Projects, comprising more than $1billion of project work. This has included the $300m Christchurch Justice & Emergency Services Precinct project; the $50m Bus Interchange project; the $475m Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre project; the $300m Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre; and the Avon River Precinct, South Frame and Accessible City infrastructure and public realm projects.
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.
Acting for both Te Whatu Ora - Te Toka Tumai Auckland (formerly Auckland DHB) and Te Whatu Ora - Taranaki (formerly Taranaki DHB) on their respective core development programmes – ‘FIRP’ and ‘Maunga Stage 2’ respectively. This included leading a cross regional group in developing a new format ‘Major Works Contract’ aimed at addressing market issues in construction and in construction contracts.
Acting for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on its land for housing programme, focused on better utilising surplus Crown land and private land for the delivery of affordable housing at scale.
Acting for consortia, financiers, construction contractors, facility managers, consultants, our team has been at the forefront of the development of New Zealand’s PPP market. We were instrumental in advising and closing New Zealand’s first PPP, the Hobsonville Schools PPP, and have had a role on all PPPs closed or brought to market in New Zealand.
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