About

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Our Construction and Infrastructure team delivers end-to-end legal support across the full lifecycle of major projects. We advise government, developers, and contractors on New Zealand’s most complex developments, offering commercially focused guidance from project structuring to dispute resolution. With deep sector expertise including transport, energy, health, and aged care, and a strong grasp of procurement and contracting frameworks, we help clients manage risk and achieve successful outcomes. Our track record includes landmark PPPs, high-stakes litigation, and transformative urban developments.

Recent work highlights

  • Transmission Gully PPP | Advised WGP on all aspects of the NZD1.25b motorway PPP, leading multi-party negotiations and dispute resolution to secure a major project restructure and refinancing.
  • Auckland Council | Advising on New Zealand’s largest defective building claim (Gore Street), leading complex High Court proceedings and appeals with significant public and financial implications.
  • Tait Communications | Advised on restructuring arrangements for the NZD1.4b Public Safety Network, involving complex multi-party contracting and joint venture restructuring for emergency communications infrastructure.
  • Cooper and Company | Advising on the Britomart Precinct development, including seismic upgrades to the historic CPO Building and design of the final Central Site, covering leasing, construction, and council negotiations.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Construction - New Zealand

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

MinterEllison possesses a focused specialist construction department with a deep bench of practitioners who provide a comprehensive service on all aspects of front- and back-end construction issues. The firm offers advice on large and complex construction projects and acts on commercial property developments as well as housing and large transport infrastructure projects.

Work Highlights

  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts represented Wellington Gateway Partnership on all aspects of the NZD1.25 billion Transmission Gully motorway project.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Mark Crosbie
1
Mark Crosbie
Head of Construction
1
Band 1
Mark Crosbie is a partner in MinterEllisonRuddWatts' Auckland office, where he is highly regarded for advising on construction contracts for large commercial property developments, particularly within the retail, hospitality and health sectors.

Mark is extremely knowledgeable and one of the best property and construction lawyers around.

Mark Crosbie provides excellent client service and is an outstanding lawyer who is clearly a market leader in his field.

Sarah Sinclair
1
Sarah Sinclair
1
Band 1

Sarah Sinclair is a former chair of MinterEllisonRuddWatts and highly reputed in the market for advising governmental clients on major infrastructure projects.

Sarah Sinclair is highly regarded, incredibly supportive and quick to understand complex issues.

Sarah is one of the leading construction and infrastructure lawyers in New Zealand, with fantastic industry knowledge, vision and technical skills.

Stephen Price
1
Stephen Price
1
Band 1
Stephen Price is widely considered to be one of the leaders in the construction disputes market.

Stephen Price provides insightful, strategic advice and isn't afraid to make some bold calls.

Janine Stewart
2
Janine Stewart
2
Band 2

Janine Stewart is chair of MinterEllisonRuddWatts and is particularly well-regarded for her construction disputes practice.

Janine is not only incredibly sharp and experienced, but also genuinely approachable and is someone who brings a calm, human touch to even the most complex and high-pressure situations.

Janine Stewart's advice is commercial and pragmatic, and it cuts through distractions to focus on the heart of the issues that matter to her clients.

Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

New Zealand

Construction

Mark Crosbie
1
Mark Crosbie
Head of Construction
1
Band 1
Sarah Sinclair
1
Sarah Sinclair
1
Band 1
Stephen Price
1
Stephen Price
1
Band 1
Janine Stewart
2
Janine Stewart
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

David Hebenton

Grant de Lisle

Jordan Oldham

Liz Hill

Mark Crosbie

Mark Crosbie

Head of Department

Matthew Ferrier

Natasha Hood

Rafe Muston

Rebecca Cook

Scott Thompson

Head of Department

Shukti Sharma

Vimal Nair

Clients

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Auckland Council

Crown Infrastructure Delivery

Fulton Hogan

Generus Living Group

Jacobs New Zealand

Kiwi Property

Mercury Energy

Metlifecare

Ministry of Transport | Waka Kotahi

Wellington Gateway Partnership