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 were involved in transformational infrastructure projects including Three Waters and Auckland Light Rail from the beginning, before the projects were reprioritised by the Coalition Government.
We are the only commercial law firm to act on all of New Zealand's major Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), and we are proud to advise on Christchurch’s rebuild Anchor Projects.
Actively influencing and shaping industry developments from the inside out, our specialists are involved in industry organisations and forums. For example, Sarah Sinclair sat on the inaugural board of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga for five years before stepping down in 2024.
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
Lead legal adviser to the Department of Internal Affairs on the Local Water Done Well programme and the previous government’s Three Waters/Affordable Waters programme. The Water Services Reform programmes aim to improve the regulation and supply arrangements of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater to better support New Zealand’s prosperity, health, safety, and environment. Our advice has included legislative drafting, policy development, entity design, governance, establishment and subsequent disestablishment of the Auckland and Northland Water Service entity, economic regulation, public law, and commercial contracts.
As trusted advisers to the Crown, we were involved in all aspects of the Auckland Light Rail (ALR) project from the outset until it was cancelled in early 2024. ALR was a $15 billion transformational infrastructure project to connect Auckland's CBD with Auckland Airport.
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 $4.4billion, 3.45km twin-tunnel underground rail link up to 42m below Auckland’s CBD. The project will transform Waitematā Station (formerly the Britomart Transport Centre) into a two-way through-station that better connects the Auckland rail network, doubling its capacity.
Since 2011, advising CERA, then Ōtākaro and now Crown Infrastructure Delivery on all aspects of the planning, procurement, delivery, completion and ownership transfer of the Anchor Projects, comprising more than $1 billion of project work. This has included the $300 million Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct project; the $50 million Bus Interchange project; the $475 million Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre project; the $300 million 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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