Construction
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 2
Contact number
+64 9 379 4196About
Provided by Dentons New Zealand
Our Major Projects and Construction team is one of New Zealand’s largest and most specialised construction and infrastructure practices, and is involved in the most significant and most complex projects throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific. With both front and back end construction expertise the team works collaboratively to find innovative solutions to complex problems for our clients that protect their commercial interests. They benefit from our in-depth knowledge in the following areas: Specialist expertise in advising on major construction contracts in transportation, horizontal infrastructure,, vertical construction and property development. Advise on all contract structures including Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), Alliancing, Design and Construct (D&C) contracts, Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) contracts and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contracts. Wide experience in preparing bespoke contracts and advising on alternative forms of procurement. We have provided key advice for redrafting of New Zealand standard form contract documents NZS3910, NZS3916 and NZS3917. Significant strength in mediation, adjudication, arbitration, and litigation. Significant involvement on matters across the South Pacific including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Palau, Marshall Islands. Our unique spread of key clients includes central and local government, domestic contractors, large international construction contractors and major consultants.
Chambers Review
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
"Dentons is very strong in the construction legal space in particular. The firm has specialists; it's all they do and they're very good at it."
"The team works for both contractors and principals, so has built great trust and relationships in the market and is able to offer balanced, realistic advice as a result."
"Dentons is able to drill down on complex matters and come up with a game plan quickly and efficiently."
"Dentons is very strong in the construction legal space in particular. The firm has specialists; it's all they do and they're very good at it."
"The team works for both contractors and principals, so has built great trust and relationships in the market and is able to offer balanced, realistic advice as a result."
"Dentons is able to drill down on complex matters and come up with a game plan quickly and efficiently."
Notable Practitioners
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'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."
"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."
Stuart Robertson is well-reputed for his handling of back-end construction matters.
"Stuart's pragmatic and a safe pair of hands."
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
New Zealand