About

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Our multi-disciplinary Energy team delivers seamless legal services across energy, resources and environmental projects - from policy and consenting to delivery and decommissioning. Known for pragmatic, solutions-focused advice, we help clients achieve commercial goals across the full asset lifecycle.

Our specialist Environment team advises on site acquisition, planning, consenting and delivery. With deep experience and strategic insight, we help clients navigate complex compliance and contentious projects. We partner with owners and operators to deliver successful outcomes across all sectors.

Recent work highlights

  • Z Energy | Trusted advisor on strategic projects and BAU matters, including designing a new loyalty scheme to replace Flybuys and Z Pumped, including sale and wind-down of Flybuys, Airpoints integration, and fuel discount alignment with Foodstuffs.
  • Channel Infrastructure | Advising on the Marsden Point Energy Precinct transformation, key projects being considered include biorefinery, eSAF, LNG import, electricity firming and storage.
  • Genesis Energy | Advising on its first wholly owned solar farm (127MWp) in Edgecumbe.                 
  • Quarry Development | Advising a Trust on establishing a new quarry under the Fast-Track Consenting Act.
  • Southern Cross Healthcare | Acted on Brightside Hospital expansion via private plan change and precedent-setting appeals.
  • Carrington Resort | Advising on Environment Court proceedings over consent lapse and zoning.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Environment & Resource Management - New Zealand

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

MinterEllisonRuddWatts has a diverse and multidisciplinary practice across the energy market, including oil and gas, electricity and renewable energy. The law firm is developing its offering in the forestry sector and assists public and private sector clients on resource and planning consents for a broad range of large-scale projects. It also provides a comprehensive offering on climate change and emissions trading, and is adept at representing clients in environmental disputes. 

Work Highlights

  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts advised Z Energy on its contractual arrangements with smart charging manufacturer Evnex to offer a rollout of over a thousand smart EV chargers to homes and small businesses across New Zealand.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Paul Foley
S
Paul Foley
S
Senior Statespeople

Paul Foley is a consultant in MinterEllisonRuddWatts' Wellington office. He enjoys a strong reputation in the market for his impressive track record of handling major transactions and regulatory issues in the electricity sector.

Paul Foley is a very commercially pragmatic, learned and knowledgeable expert.

Sarah Sinclair
2
Sarah Sinclair
2
Band 2

Sarah Sinclair is based in Auckland, where she chairs MinterEllisonRuddWatts. She is renowned for her considerable experience advising major energy infrastructure projects, particularly within the upstream oil and gas and hydrogen sectors.

Sarah is one of the best lawyers I have worked with. She is strategic, commercial and really cares.

Sarah Sinclair is an outstanding energy and infrastructure lawyer.

Bianca Tree
3
Bianca Tree
3
Band 3

Bianca Tree is head of the firm's property and environment division. She is trusted by significant players in New Zealand's real estate landscape to advise them on resource management.

Bianca really impresses us with her technical knowledge and her client-friendly approach to service.

Bianca has provided a great level of service with respect to planning legal advice.

Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

New Zealand

Energy & Natural Resources

Paul Foley
S
Paul Foley
S
Senior Statespeople
Sarah Sinclair
2
Sarah Sinclair
2
Band 2
Environment & Resource Management

Bianca Tree
3
Bianca Tree
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Holly-Marie Rearic

John Conlan

Kate Cruickshank

Kate Storer

Natasha Hood

Olivia Pahulu

Scott Thompson

Simon Gray

Stephanie de Groot

Clients

Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Alpine Energy

Argosy Property

Channel Infrastructure NZ

Genesis Energy

Meridian Energy

Metlifecare

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Northpower

Pan Pac Forest Products

Southern Cross Healthcare

Stride Property

Taharoa Ironsands

Todd Corporation

Tūpore Infrastructure

Z Energy