About

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

Provided by Chambers
Environment & Resource Management - New Zealand
2
Band 2
What the Team is Known For

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 law firm is able to represent clients in local and district council hearings and Environment Court appeals.

Work Highlights

Provided by Russell McVeagh
  • Russell McVeagh advised Nelson Airport on its development plans, including assisting with obtaining the relevant environmental approvals to expand its current operational runway to the north.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Allison Arthur-Young
2
Allison Arthur-Young
2
Band 2

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 former board chair of Russell McVeagh.

"Allison Arthur-Young is a superb lawyer who combines a high level of legal awareness with a determination to get the best results for the client."

"Allison is an outstanding lawyer. She is highly skilled but very responsive and results-focused."

Mei Fern Johnson
2
Mei Fern Johnson
2
Band 2

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.

"Mei Fern Johnson is incredibly professional and responsive. She is very solution-focused and enabling."

Daniel Minhinnick
3
Daniel Minhinnick
3
Band 3

Daniel Minhinnick advises on resource consents and environmental litigation for a wide range of developments and projects.

"Daniel has great industry and technical knowledge. He is highly strategic and a great advocate to have on the team."

"Daniel is a pleasure to work with. He provides competent and sound advice, and he is always responsive and happy to have a quick phone call, which I appreciate."

Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

New Zealand

Energy & Natural Resources

Mei Fern Johnson
2
Mei Fern Johnson
2
Band 2
Environment & Resource Management

Allison Arthur-Young
2
Allison Arthur-Young
2
Band 2
Daniel Minhinnick
3
Daniel Minhinnick
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Russell McVeagh

Craig Shrive

Joe Windmeyer

Michael Loan

Simon Pilkinton

Tim Clarke

Tom Hunt

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