Environment & Resource Management
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : New Zealand
Band 2
Contact number
+64 9 367 8000About
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Our Energy and Natural Resources team work on energy projects ranging from renewable energy projects to oil and gas ventures, as well as other natural resources projects in sectors such as water, mining and geothermal. The team also works on blue-chip infrastructure, housing, transport, ports, utilities and telecommunications development.
We bring together highly experienced partners and energetic thinkers to help clients manage their procurement, development, planning, environmental, commercial and contracting issues. Our group is particularly known for our ability to navigate complex issues, our broad, cross-sectoral industry knowledge, and combining specialist legal expertise with a pragmatic, business-focused commercial approach. We have a deep understanding of the broader context and drivers of projects and pride ourselves on working collaboratively with clients and their teams and external consultants to achieve strategic objectives.
We also act for some of New Zealand's most prominent developers. Our team covers the range of disciplines to get a project approved, planned, consented (including for overseas investment in land and assets in New Zealand), financed, funded, built, commissioned and operating.
We advise a wide variety of clients on regulatory and legislative reform, including on the upcoming repeal and replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991 and also assist clients with the opportunities afforded by the COVID-19 Recovery Act 2020.
Chambers Review
Russell McVeagh's commercial and collaborative resource management team specialises in resource consents, environmental law reform, and energy projects. It is a multidisciplinary practice with corporate capability, addressing a range of issues throughout the energy sector, as well as being widely acknowledged in infrastructure and land development matters. The team is able to represent clients in local and district council hearings and Environment Court appeals. Notable clients include KiwiRail, Infratec and Woolworths.
Work Highlights
- Russell McVeagh assisted Woolworths with successfully obtaining land use and subdivision consent for a commercial and residential development in Halswell, Christchurch.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"It is a great team. The lawyers are committed, technically excellent and really take the time to understand their client's business."
"They are always efficient and responsive."
"Their work is always of a high standard."
"It is a great team. The lawyers are committed, technically excellent and really take the time to understand their client's business."
"They are always efficient and responsive."
"Their work is always of a high standard."
Notable Practitioners
Mei Fern Johnson is well regarded for her handling of large transactions, restructures and joint ventures, as well as procurements and contractual issues within the energy sector.
Allison Arthur-Young garners praise for her expertise in resource management and planning matters for large infrastructure and residential projects. She is based in the Auckland office and is the board chair of Russell McVeagh.
"She is commercial, results-focused and a pragmatic, trusted adviser."
Daniel Minhinnick advises on resource consents and environmental litigation for a wide range of developments and projects.
"Daniel is always competent, professional, responsive and reassuring. When I need something urgently he makes himself available, which I hugely value."
"He is always informative and understands our business and drivers, and therefore what is necessary."
Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh
New Zealand
Members
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Clients
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Auckland International Airport Limited
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
Fullers Ferries
Genesis Energy
Goodman Properties
Interislander ferries
KiwiRail
Meridian Energy
Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited
NZ Bus
New Zealand Airports Association
Octopus Energy
Origin Energy
OurPower
Ports of Auckland Limited
Powershop
Queenstown Airport
Scentre (New Zealand) Limited
Spark
Stevenson Group Limited
Summerset
Tilt Renewables
Trustpower
Unitec Institute of Technology
Vector Limited
WEL Networks
Waste Management
Watercare Services Limited
Wellington Airport
Wellington Lines Co.
Wellington Water
Woolworths Limited
Industries
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Commercial, retail, industrial, retirement and residential development
Energy – including oil and gas, downstream fuel, hydro, solar, wind and geothermal electricity generation and electricity transmission and retailing
Network utility operations
Quarry/clean-fill projects
Transport - Rail, Port and Airport infrastructure
Waste
Water/wastewater