About

Provided by Dentons New Zealand

Our Major Projects and Construction team is one of New Zealand’s largest and most specialised, advising on many of the country’s most significant infrastructure and property developments, as well as major projects across the South Pacific and Australia.

We provide end-to-end construction expertise covering both front-end project structuring and contract drafting, and back-end dispute resolution. Our integrated approach ensures commercially pragmatic, future-focused solutions that support our clients' long-term success in a dynamic and high-risk sector.

A core focus of our practice is advising Tier 1 contractors on contractual claims and complex dispute resolution across New Zealand’s largest construction projects. We have acted in some of the country's most high-profile adjudications, arbitrations, and litigation matters involving building defects and project delays. Our team is highly experienced across all forms of dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration and court proceedings.

On the front end, we regularly advise on all major forms of construction and infrastructure contracts, including PPPs, alliances, D&C, EPC and ECI arrangements. We work across the transport, infrastructure, energy and property development sectors, offering deep experience in both public and private sector delivery models.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction - New Zealand

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Dentons New Zealand has a strong presence in front-end construction law, with a specialised infrastructure practice, as well as impressive litigation, adjudication and arbitration experience. The firm is noted for its experience handling contractual disputes arising from insolvency or allegations of fraud. The practice boasts an international reputation for its adept handling of matters arising out of property and transportation development contracts.

Work Highlights

  • Dentons advised Hawkins New Zealand on its successful application for an interim injunction to restrain the Principal from calling a performance bond pending resolution of a dispute adjudication over whether liquidated damages are payable.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Paul Buetow
2
Paul Buetow
2
Band 2
Paul Buetow has a considerable reputation for his handling of construction disputes, including arbitrations, adjudications, mediations and litigation. He is also experienced in handling the front-end aspects of large infrastructure projects.

Paul is very mature and capable; he's primarily a very, very, good front-end lawyer. He's a very experienced and reliable advisor, as well as a very nice person.

Paul's very focussed on achieving a result. His ability to keep at a problem even when others are tiring means that it drags everyone along to do better than they otherwise would.

Paul is a leader in his field, and it is reassuring to have him guiding our construction projects.

Stuart Robertson
2
Stuart Robertson
2
Band 2

Stuart Robertson is well-reputed for his handling of back-end construction matters.

Stuart's pragmatic and a safe pair of hands.

Brendan Cash
3
Brendan Cash
3
Band 3
Brendan Cash is based in Wellington, where he leads the firm's Major Projects and Construction team. He has notable expertise as a litigator, having represented clients before New Zealand's High Court and Supreme Court.

Brendan Cash is a top-notch construction litigator. He's very bright, hardworking and creative.

I have always enjoyed working with Brendan and he is the primary reason that we use Dentons.

Ranked Lawyers at
Dentons New Zealand

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

New Zealand

Construction

Paul Buetow
2
Paul Buetow
2
Band 2
Stuart Robertson
2
Stuart Robertson
2
Band 2
Brendan Cash
3
Brendan Cash
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Dentons New Zealand

Brendan Cash

Brendan Cash

Head of Department

David Newport

Ella Arbuckle Page

Kate Henderson

Katrina Van Houtte

Madison Hajek

Merran Greenhalgh

Sara Cheetham

Stephanie Panzic