Department profile
Russell McVeagh

Energy & Natural Resources

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : New Zealand


Russell McVeagh

Rankings

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.

Clients (32)

  • Ports of Auckland Limited
  • Auckland International Airport Limited
  • Watercare Services Limited
  • Vector Limited
  • Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited
  • Scentre (New Zealand) Limited
  • Stevenson Group Limited
  • Unitec Institute of Technology
  • Woolworths Limited
  • Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
  • Fullers Ferries
  • Genesis Energy
  • Goodman Properties
  • Interislander ferries
  • KiwiRail
  • Meridian Energy
  • NZ Bus
  • New Zealand Airports Association
  • Octopus Energy
  • Origin Energy
  • OurPower
  • Powershop
  • Queenstown Airport
  • Spark
  • Summerset
  • Tilt Renewables
  • Trustpower
  • Waste Management
  • WEL Networks
  • Wellington Airport
  • Wellington Water
  • Wellington Lines Co.

Industries (7)

  • Water/wastewater
  • Waste
  • Transport - Rail, Port and Airport infrastructure
  • Network utility operations
  • 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
  • Quarry/clean-fill projects

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy & Natural Resources - New Zealand

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

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

Provided by Chambers

  • Russell McVeagh advised Harmony Energy on its JV with First Renewables to develop the 202MW Tauhei Solar Farm near Te Aroha in the North Island.

  • Russell McVeagh assisted KiwiRail on the approvals required to develop a new intermodal freight hub near Palmerston North.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Russell McVeagh's team are great to work with. They are open, friendly and have a can-do attitude.

    Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Russell McVeagh regularly exceeds my expectations. What sets them apart is their ability to combine technical excellence with pragmatic, solution-focused guidance.

    Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Allison Arthur-Young
    Band 2Allison Arthur-Young

    Allison Arthur-Young

    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 is an exceptional lawyer. She has an incredibly light touch and can make extremely complicated issues easy and understandable.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Allison provides exceptional service and is always available for the client.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Allison is an outstanding energy and resource management lawyer.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 2Mei Fern Johnson
    Band 2Mei Fern Johnson

    Mei Fern Johnson

    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 exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding legal and strategic adviser, consistently demonstrating professionalism, innovation and a deep commitment to client success.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Daniel Minhinnick
    Band 3Daniel Minhinnick

    Daniel Minhinnick

    Daniel Minhinnick advises on resource consents and environmental litigation for a wide range of developments and projects.

    • Working with Daniel is an absolute pleasure. He's responsive, reassuring, reasoned and gives sound advice.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Daniel provides expert planning advice and training which is very clear and concise.

      Energy & Natural Resources respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Russell McVeagh (3)

New Zealand

Members

Provided by Russell McVeagh

Russell McVeagh has rankings in the following guides

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