Public Law
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : 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' 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.
Work Highlights
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts acted for NZALS, an autonomous Crown entity, in an appeal for judicial review of NZALS’s development of activities to include a greater focus on amputation prevention.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The advice from MinterEllisonRuddWatts was well targeted, researched and on-point."
"The partners are extremely responsive."
"MinterEllisonRuddWatts has good bench strength and notable individuals able to provide practical advice in a broad range of practice areas."
"The advice from MinterEllisonRuddWatts was well targeted, researched and on-point."
"The partners are extremely responsive."
"MinterEllisonRuddWatts has good bench strength and notable individuals able to provide practical advice in a broad range of practice areas."
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, focussing closely on regulatory questions.
"Briony is a pleasure to work with, delivering thorough and practical advice that provides a useful mixture of assurance and food-for-thought around options and risks."
"Briony has excellent advocacy skills which come across in her compelling, convincing yet understandable writing."
Megan Richards co-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.
"Megan is very practical and commercial."
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 outstanding to deal with and in our view is potentially the leading sanctions and international trade lawyer in New Zealand."
"Sarah was easy to work with and provided very practical legal advice and solutions in a quick turnaround time."
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