Ranking tables
Public Law | Asia-Pacific
New Zealand
Rankings overview for Departments
Dentons New Zealand 4 Years Ranked
Russell McVeagh 15 Years Ranked- Buddle Findlay
- Chapman Tripp
DLA Piper New Zealand 7 Years Ranked- Meredith Connell
- Wilson Harle
Jonathan Salter Simpson Grierson13 Years Ranked- Alastair HercusBuddle Findlay
- Tony DellowBuddle Findlay
- Kirsty Dobbs Bell Gully4 Years Ranked
Linda Clark Dentons New Zealand3 Years Ranked
Sarah Salmond MinterEllisonRuddWatts3 Years Ranked- Matt YarnellChapman Tripp
- Natasha WilsonBuddle Findlay
- Sean KinslerMeredith Connell
- Stephen FranksFranks Ogilvie
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Bell GullyPublic Law2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedBell Gully's pre-eminent public law practice offers comprehensive services to central and local government bodies, counting core government departments and government agencies among its clients. The team is recognised for its capability in handling PPP projects, as well as the development of transportation and telecommunications infrastructure. The firm is also experienced in handling social housing matters for public entities, investors and financiers, and for advising on compliance obligations and representing clients in Māori legal issues.

1 MinterEllisonRuddWattsPublic Law2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedMinterEllisonRuddWatts' 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.

1 Simpson GriersonPublic Law2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedSimpson Grierson fields a versatile team that can address the full range of issues faced by public sector bodies at all levels, and is particularly well-known for its unrivalled profile in the local government space. The firm maintains a national presence advising city and regional councils across New Zealand, with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The team has substantial expertise in the Resource Management Act and funding mechanism matters for key areas such as housing, health and utilities. The practice is highly proficient in legislation, infrastructure and governance matters.
Band 2

2 Dentons New ZealandPublic Law2026 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedDentons New Zealand is well regarded for its public law offering, with experience covering the public sector, Crown entities, local authorities and councils, as well as the private sector clients and individuals who engage with these. The firm has particular expertise in handling disputes, compliance issues, judicial review and investigations.

2 Russell McVeaghPublic Law2026 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedThe 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 with adapting and responding to legislative changes and regulatory reforms, including through government lobbying and judicial reviews.
Band 3

3 DLA Piper New ZealandPublic Law2026 | Band 3 | 7 Years RankedThe DLA Piper New Zealand team is particularly noted for its experience in acting for local government bodies across the country on both contentious and advisory matters. The team possesses strong expertise across a range of regulatory mandates, often involving privacy and information law issues. In addition, the practice handles governance and compliance issues, as well as judicial reviews and declaratory judgment proceedings.







