Public Law
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : New Zealand
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+64 9 353 9700About
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
The public law team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts assist public sector clients on how to best exercise their statutory powers, as well as with the drafting and interpretation of legislation. Members of the team have held roles within government and public sector organisations so understand the sector well. On the private sector side, the team assists clients in engaging with government (including regulators), in seeking to influence policy and legislative reform, and in complying with their legal obligations.
The team holds a broad network at all levels of New Zealand Government – either working within the firm or as board members of commissions, crown companies, state-owned enterprises and ministerial advisory committees. Several lawyers have held senior roles in key government departments.
- Represented NZALS, an autonomous Crown entity with its origins in the provision of rehabilitation assistance to disabled soldiers returning from World War I, but now with a broader public health mandate, in an appeal by an unsuccessful applicant (a competitor, MoveMe Health Ltd) for judicial review of NZALS’s development of activities to include a greater focus on amputation prevention.
- Acted for the Treasury on the Crown's NZD2.1 billion purchase of the shares in Kiwi Group Holdings Limited (Kiwibank's parent company) allowing the Crown to retain New Zealand ownership of Kiwibank.
Chambers Review
MinterEllisonRuddWatts's substantial, multidisciplinary public law team maintains an impressive breadth of expertise, advising on challenging regulatory matters, legislative reviews and the drafting of bills. The firm is noted for its strength in public sector procurement mandates and advises public sector boards, regulators and private clients in regulated industries on joint venture projects. The practice has involvement in high-profile public law issues, such as tax incentive loan schemes, and resource management reforms. The firm's notable clients include the Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry for the Environment.
Work Highlights
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts advised the Ministry for the Environment in connection with resource management system reform led by the New Zealand government. The firm assisted by advising on the key policy decisions and drafting instructions for the new legislatures.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team are incredibly competent. They have an impeccable understanding of the international trading system but are also very commercial and practical in their approach."
"The team are incredibly competent. They have an impeccable understanding of the international trading system but are also very commercial and practical in their approach."
Notable Practitioners
Briony Davies is based in Wellington and brings to the table over 20 years' experience across a comprehensive range of public law issues, focusing closely on regulatory questions impacting on the nation's infrastructure.
"Briony provides pragmatic legal advice to us and she seeks to understand the organisation as a whole and the issues we are facing. Her advice is in-depth but also tailored to our core considerations."
"She was able to shift gears from giving technical advice to the legal team and then operational advice to the non-lawyers."
Megan Richards leads the practice from the Wellington office and is an established figure in the market who is particularly noted for her expertise regarding employment issues. Experienced in acting for public sector clients on internal employment investigations, she also regularly advises government agencies and commissions of inquiry on matters concerning the exercise of their statutory powers.
"She is knowledgeable, responsive and has good government experience. She can use that experience to speak with wisdom and authority."
Sarah Salmond is recognised for her expertise in sanctions and public law. She assists corporate clients with tariff, regulatory investigations and negotiations with government bodies.
"Sarah is a market leader for international trade."
Ranked Lawyers at
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
New Zealand
Members
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Clients
Provided by MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Department of Internal Affairs
Earthquake Commission
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fonterra Co-Operative Group
Ministry for the Environment
Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment
Ministry of Education
The Treasury
Westpac bank
Zespri International