Public Law
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 2
About
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Clients choose our team for its depth of knowledge and proven track record. We guide clients through complex constitutional and administrative law matters, as well as helping them to engage with both local and national government.
Our dedicated Wellington team are based within the heart of New Zealand Government, and maintain an extensive network of contacts which clients can tap into.
The team is made up of former government advisers, crown counsel and experts on constitutional law and other dynamic public law professionals, who have experience representing organisations such as Watercare Services and the Auckland Transition Agency.
Over the last few years we have seen a continued complex interplay between policy, regulation and litigation for key infrastructure sectors. There is a heightened demand for legal advisers that can seamlessly advise on all disciplines and assist to optimise strategy and advocacy to Ministers, officials, regulators and courts.
Russell McVeagh is at the forefront of developments in this area, advising the largest companies (Vector, Auckland International Airport and Spark) in each core sector on the Commerce Commission's development of pricing methodologies, other regulatory requirements, and court proceedings in relation to those decisions.
Chambers Review
The Russell McVeagh team members act as trusted advisers to private and public sector clients on public law issues, providing a notable depth of knowledge in key infrastructure projects, as well as assisting with legislative and regulatory changes. The firm maintains strong relationships with both government ministries and major players in the energy and aviation sectors. The team often advises companies in regulated industries on their negotiations with government authorities concerning pricing. In addition, the practice boasts expertise in assisting corporations to adapt and respond to legislative changes and regulatory reforms, including through government lobbying and judicial reviews.
Work Highlights
- Russell McVeagh assisted Vector Fibre, during a Commerce Commission compliance assessment, to make a case that Chorus' non-price terms for its Passive Optical Network Fibre Access Service breached its equivalence and non-discrimination obligations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I appreciate the proactive nature of its work. It has a good breadth and excellent depth in expertise on highly complex issues."
"Russell McVeagh provided excellent client service, turning around advice really quickly and delivering in a useful way for clients."
"I appreciate the proactive nature of its work. It has a good breadth and excellent depth in expertise on highly complex issues."
"Russell McVeagh provided excellent client service, turning around advice really quickly and delivering in a useful way for clients."
Notable Practitioners
Tim Clarke is a well-established and highly respected practitioner, particularly recognised for his work assisting private sector clients with such public law issues as law reform and regulatory compliance.
"Tim is unparallelled for his level of sophistication and provides a high level of service to each engagement. He can translate his deep sector knowledge into very usable advice."
"His knowledge of public law and government relations is kind of second to none in the NZ market. He provides really sound and practical advice, addressing the right point, which gives us confidence."
Craig Shrive leads the practice from the Auckland office and is noted for his experience advising clients on law reform, particularly in the telecommunications and aviation sectors.
"Craig's brain and strategic insight are just invaluable, particularly, when it comes to competition policy and economic regulation."
Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh
New Zealand
Clients
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Auckland International Airport
Austrex
Fairfax Media, New Zealand
Fonterra Co-operative Group
Genesis Energy
KiwiRail
Lanaco
Meridian Energy
NZME
New Forests
New Zealand Airports Association
Orion Health
Queenstown Airport
Spark
Trustpower
Vector
Watercare
Woolworths