Daniel Fielding

Advising the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) on reforming how water services are delivered, funded, and regulated in New Zealand. Initially assisting with all aspects of the Three Waters/Affordable Waters Reform Programme, including a secondment to the National Transition Unit within DIA as Acting Lead Legal Adviser to support the transfer of assets from councils and the establishment of the new water services entities, as well as advising on water services policy development, wider system reform, and drafting legislation. Followed by assisting DIA with the repeal of the Three Waters/Affordable Waters Reform Programme, including the disestablishment of the Auckland and Northland water services entity. Finally, advising DIA on implementing the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well Programme, including policy development, interim economic regulation of Watercare, and drafting legislation.

Advising the Wellington regional and metropolitan councils with the initial establishment phase of the new water organisation to replace Wellington Water. This included engaging with iwi and other stakeholders to develop a set of draft governance and accountability arrangements. In addition, advising on interim governance arrangements, the transfer of assets and liabilities, and compliance with the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 and the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025.

Advising New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) with the establishment of a new Crown entity focused on increasing foreign direct investment in New Zealand. This included assisting with drafting the legislation to establish Invest New Zealand and transfer functions, assets, and people from NZTE to Invest New Zealand, and assisting NZTE with the transfer and stand-up of Invest New Zealand.

Assisting Ferry Holdings Limited (FHL) to become operational and take responsibility for the Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Work Programme. This included advising FHL on compliance and regulatory matters as a Schedule 4A company under the Public Finance Act 1989.

Advising the United Kingdom Government on the UK-NZ free trade agreement negotiations and the UK’s negotiations to accede into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Advising a range of multi-national corporations on New Zealand tariff classifications and regulatory compliance issues. Advising on the entry into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with a foreign state for the promotion and development of a domestic commercial cereal grain industry. Commencing enforcement proceedings of a US$6 billion International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) award before the Federal Court of Australia against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Advising on international law obligations arising from commercial arrangements with a Moroccan state-owned enterprise for the importation of phosphate rock sourced from the disputed Western Sahara.

Advising a mining operator in relation to the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024, assisting an industry association with employment law reform advising a transport operator on options to challenge the procurement outcome of a Ministry of Transport tender process for bus routes, and assisting an air operator to engage with the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Health on amending guidelines regarding the air border vaccination requirements during COVID.

Assisting a public sector entity to investigate allegations of worker exploitation within its supply chain and review its contractor model to identify modern slavery risks and put in place controls. Assisted a public sector entity to investigate allegations of corruption within its supply chain. Drafting some of the first modern slavery statements under the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 for major Australian and international corporates. Providing modern slavery and supply chain risk advice to clients with operations in Australia and New Zealand, including updating contractual clauses, responding to due diligence requests, drafting policies, and assisting with modern slavery risk assessments. Advising the financiers of a large-scale public infrastructure project following the listing of a supplier on the trade sanctions list by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the US Department of Commerce in connection with allegations of human rights violations and forced labour in China. Assisting clients to comply with sanctions and human rights obligations.

Commencing Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) arbitrations for disputes arising out of a coal mine in Indonesia, defending a state-owned enterprise in a SIAC arbitration for a dispute arising out of an independent power project in the United Arab Emirates, and commencing enforcement proceeding of a SIAC award before the Federal Court of Australia for a dispute involving one of the world's largest tungsten mines in Vietnam (and advising on the setting aside application of the same award before the High Court of Singapore).