Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Bell Gully is “one of the most knowledgeable firms and is always able to advise on complex issues”, says one client. Andrew Beatson has demonstrated an impressive showing in the resource management field while fellow partner Chris Gordon is “a leading ... [more]

Bell Gully is “one of the most knowledgeable firms and is always able to advise on complex issues”, says one client. Andrew Beatson has demonstrated an impressive showing in the resource management field while fellow partner Chris Gordon is “a leading individual in projects and resource management”, says a competitor. Together, they lead an impressive team with unmatched depth.

The Bell Gully team advised PricewaterhouseCoopers as receivers of Pike River Coal, which was the owner and operator of a mine that was affected by a series of major explosions that cost the lives of 29 miners. Another notable highlight for the team was advising domestic energy company TrustPower on its US$62.25 million unsecured, unsubordinated fixed rate senior bond issue.

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Buddle Findlay has particular knowledge of the regulatory regimes governing energy and natural resources in New Zealand. The team, specialists in advising on industry-specific legislation, is considered “innovative, with a genuine understanding of business ... [more]

Buddle Findlay has particular knowledge of the regulatory regimes governing energy and natural resources in New Zealand. The team, specialists in advising on industry-specific legislation, is considered “innovative, with a genuine understanding of business objectives”, says a client.

The firm advised Contact Energy on three successful infrastructure consent processes with a total value of US$2.08 billion: Tauhara 2 geothermal, Hauauru Ma Raki windfarm and Waitahora windfarm. This is the first time an energy company has run three major infrastructure proposals through a consenting process concurrently.

The firm also advised CO2 Group, one of Australia’s largest carbon forestry investment companies, on the formation of CO2 New Zealand Limited Partnership. CO2 New Zealand will generate emissions units from forestry investments.

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Chapman Tripp’s energy and natural resources practice has always “provided strong knowledge and innovative advice”, says one client.Clients strongly appreciate partners Stephen Lowe and John Holland for “their easy accessibility and their specialised ... [more]

Chapman Tripp’s energy and natural resources practice has always “provided strong knowledge and innovative advice”, says one client.

Clients strongly appreciate partners Stephen Lowe and John Holland for “their easy accessibility and their specialised skills in corporate and commercial law”.

Last year’s highlight included acting for Shell Petroleum Mining Co in arbitration with its joint venture party Todd Petroleum Mining Co. This concerned the rights and obligations of the operator and venture participants in relation to assets used as well as the recovery of operating and capital costs.

Another highlight was acting for Vector Gas on the liquidation of E-Gas, a significant gas retailer. The liquidation created risks for Vector’s operation of gas pipelines, including recovery of charges, pipeline balancing and the allocation of gas to other retailers.

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“Minter Ellison Rudd Watts is more than capable of innovative and conservative advice,” says one client. The firm has enjoyed another strong year and welcomed the addition of partner Sarah Sinclair, who was previously in-house counsel at Genesis Energy.The ... [more]

“Minter Ellison Rudd Watts is more than capable of innovative and conservative advice,” says one client. The firm has enjoyed another strong year and welcomed the addition of partner Sarah Sinclair, who was previously in-house counsel at Genesis Energy.

The firm advised Genesis Energy on electricity industry reforms, including asset transfers. This was significant because the New Zealand Government mandated reforms to improve the security of supply in the electricity market. This included the transfer of significant hydrogenation assets with associated water and management arrangements.

Other transactions included advising on significant pricing projects in the electricity sector – such as for the Electricity Authority, in transmission pricing, and for Wellington Electricity, for distribution pricing. The firm also acted for Pike River Coal at the time of the explosion at its mine, and continued to represent the company in conjunction with its receivers and their advisers.

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Russell McVeagh’s established and experienced environmental and resource practice “has tremendous depth”, says a rival lawyer. Star partner Bal Matheson is “an expert in energy”, says the lawyer, and is in much demand by industry and infrastructure providers ... [more]

Russell McVeagh’s established and experienced environmental and resource practice “has tremendous depth”, says a rival lawyer. Star partner Bal Matheson is “an expert in energy”, says the lawyer, and is in much demand by industry and infrastructure providers – as is the team’s wide range of experience in all areas of resource management law.

The past year saw the team represent Todd Energy on contractual and antitrust claims against Shell and OMV New Zealand in relation to rates of production from the Pohokura gas/condensate field. Shell and OMV, by majority vote of the joint venture operating committee, was alleged to have limited production below that which could be achieved from the field. This was in breach of the joint venture operating agreement as well as the Crown Minerals Act and Commerce Act.

The Russell McVeagh team also acted for Meridian, the central participant in all aspects of New Zealand’s largest electricity generator, on the restructure of the Government’s commercial interests in the electricity industry.

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Simpson Grierson’s energy and natural resources practice is “thorough, practical and realistic”, says a competitor. It is led by Wellington partners Dave Trueman and Elisabeth Welson, who are widely acknowledged as market leaders and are noted for their ... [more]

Simpson Grierson’s energy and natural resources practice is “thorough, practical and realistic”, says a competitor. It is led by Wellington partners Dave Trueman and Elisabeth Welson, who are widely acknowledged as market leaders and are noted for their breadth of experience and ability to handle complex issues.

Advising New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) on its stake in Pike River Coal, the Simpson Grierson team assisted NZOG with negotiation, drafting documentation, regulatory approvals and overall strategic advice on the transaction.

Another notable transaction was acting for OMV New Zealand on litigation proceedings brought by Todd Corporation, which claimed various breaches of a joint venture operating agreement by Shell and OMV.

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Kensington Swan continues to be one of this country’s leading sustainable energy firms, and houses a wide range of experience and capabilities. One client rates the practice “10 out of 10”, and says: “I highly recommend its legal expertise”.The team ... [more]

Kensington Swan continues to be one of this country’s leading sustainable energy firms, and houses a wide range of experience and capabilities. One client rates the practice “10 out of 10”, and says: “I highly recommend its legal expertise”.

The team provided legal advice to Downer EDi Engineering on negotiations relating to an agreement for the provision of building and engineering maintenance services to Chorus, a division of Telecom New Zealand. The firm also advised New Zealand Traffic Authority on resource management and property issues associated with the Wellington Urban Road of National Significance.

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ChanceryGreen ChanceryGreen has established itself as a top-tier boutique firm focusing on large infrastructure and energy projects. The firm’s extensive expertise in the energy sector includes acting for four of the five major electricity generators ... [more]

ChanceryGreen

ChanceryGreen has established itself as a top-tier boutique firm focusing on large infrastructure and energy projects. The firm’s extensive expertise in the energy sector includes acting for four of the five major electricity generators in New Zealand.

The firm last year acted for Contact Wind and Contact Energy on their US$1.25 billion applications for resource consent for the construction and operation of the Hauāuru Mā Raki wind farm.

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