Energy & Natural Resources
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 2
About
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Our Energy and Natural Resources team work on energy projects ranging from renewable energy projects to oil and gas ventures, as well as other natural resources projects in sectors such as water, mining and geothermal. The team also works on blue-chip infrastructure, housing, transport, ports, utilities and telecommunications development.
We bring together highly experienced partners and energetic thinkers to help clients manage their procurement, development, planning, environmental, commercial and contracting issues. Our group is particularly known for our ability to navigate complex issues, our broad, cross-sectoral industry knowledge, and combining specialist legal expertise with a pragmatic, business-focused commercial approach. We have a deep understanding of the broader context and drivers of projects and pride ourselves on working collaboratively with clients and their teams and external consultants to achieve strategic objectives.
We also act for some of New Zealand's most prominent developers. Our team covers the range of disciplines to get a project approved, planned, consented (including for overseas investment in land and assets in New Zealand), financed, funded, built, commissioned and operating.
We advise a wide variety of clients on regulatory and legislative reform, including on the upcoming repeal and replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991 and also assist clients with the opportunities afforded by the COVID-19 Recovery Act 2020.
Chambers Review
Russell McVeagh's commercial and collaborative resource management team specialises in resource consents, environmental law reform and energy projects. It is a multidisciplinary practice with corporate capability, addressing a range of issues throughout the energy sector, as well as being widely acknowledged in infrastructure and land development matters. The law firm is able to represent clients in local and district council hearings and Environment Court appeals.
Work Highlights
- Russell McVeagh advised Nelson Airport on its development plans, including assisting with obtaining the relevant environmental approvals to expand its current operational runway to the north.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Russell McVeagh proved themselves to be very capable in their respective disciplines and strong subject matter experts."
"When we needed to use property or commercial experts, Russell McVeagh had the internal expertise to quickly and efficiently find the answers that were needed."
"Russell McVeagh proved themselves to be very capable in their respective disciplines and strong subject matter experts."
"When we needed to use property or commercial experts, Russell McVeagh had the internal expertise to quickly and efficiently find the answers that were needed."
Notable Practitioners
Allison Arthur-Young garners praise for her expertise in resource management and planning matters for large infrastructure and residential projects. She is based in the Auckland office and is former board chair of Russell McVeagh.
"Allison Arthur-Young is a superb lawyer who combines a high level of legal awareness with a determination to get the best results for the client."
"Allison is an outstanding lawyer. She is highly skilled but very responsive and results-focused."
Mei Fern Johnson is well regarded for her handling of large transactions, restructures and joint ventures, as well as procurements and contractual issues within the energy sector.
"Mei Fern Johnson is incredibly professional and responsive. She is very solution-focused and enabling."
Daniel Minhinnick advises on resource consents and environmental litigation for a wide range of developments and projects.
"Daniel has great industry and technical knowledge. He is highly strategic and a great advocate to have on the team."
"Daniel is a pleasure to work with. He provides competent and sound advice, and he is always responsive and happy to have a quick phone call, which I appreciate."
Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh
New Zealand
Members
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Craig Shrive
Joe Windmeyer
Michael Loan
Simon Pilkinton
Tim Clarke
Tom Hunt
Clients
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Auckland International Airport Limited
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
Fullers Ferries
Genesis Energy
Goodman Properties
Interislander ferries
KiwiRail
Meridian Energy
Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited
NZ Bus
New Zealand Airports Association
Octopus Energy
Origin Energy
OurPower
Ports of Auckland Limited
Powershop
Queenstown Airport
Scentre (New Zealand) Limited
Spark
Stevenson Group Limited
Summerset
Tilt Renewables
Trustpower
Unitec Institute of Technology
Vector Limited
WEL Networks
Waste Management
Watercare Services Limited
Wellington Airport
Wellington Lines Co.
Wellington Water
Woolworths Limited
Industries
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Commercial, retail, industrial, retirement and residential development
Energy – including oil and gas, downstream fuel, hydro, solar, wind and geothermal electricity generation and electricity transmission and retailing
Network utility operations
Quarry/clean-fill projects
Transport - Rail, Port and Airport infrastructure
Waste
Water/wastewater