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

Chapman Tripp’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice is unparalleled in the New Zealand market “for its excellent commercial advisory capability and for housing strong negotiators”, says one client. IT specialist partner Bruce McClintock is ... [more]

Chapman Tripp’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice is unparalleled in the New Zealand market “for its excellent commercial advisory capability and for housing strong negotiators”, says one client. IT specialist partner Bruce McClintock is highly recommended for having a “strong commercial skill-set and a commitment to finding workable solutions.”

The firm advised Mobile Commerce (M-Com) and its shareholders on its distribution of M-Com’s mobile banking and payments solutions business. M-Com’s partnering arrangements with Fiserv Inc. and subsequent sale represent one of the most significant technology export successes in New Zealand’s tech sector.

Another notable deal was advising Telecom NZ on its response to the Government’s US$1.25 billion Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) Initiative, which aimed to accelerate the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband to 75% of the country’s population.

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This specialised technology firm advised Microsoft New Zealand’s sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011. This sponsorship recognised the unique opportunity for the local Microsoft subsidiary to make available its internet-based technology to RWC ... [more]

This specialised technology firm advised Microsoft New Zealand’s sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011. This sponsorship recognised the unique opportunity for the local Microsoft subsidiary to make available its internet-based technology to RWC so that it could distribute further images and footage from the RWC to a worldwide audience.

Another deal highlight was advising APN Specialists Publications NZ and Pacific Magazines Pty on the former’s acquisition of the licence to publish Pacific Magazines’ three core titles in New Zealand. APN News & Media is New Zealand’s largest media company, and the licensed titles are complementary to its existing portfolio and increase its reach from 1.2 million New Zealanders to 1.5 million.

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Bell Gully’s Telecommunication, Media & Technology practice covers issues at the forefront of industry development and innovation. “It is the only firm in New Zealand that has a dedicated media practice,” says one rival lawyer.Wellington-based partner ... [more]

Bell Gully’s Telecommunication, Media & Technology practice covers issues at the forefront of industry development and innovation. “It is the only firm in New Zealand that has a dedicated media practice,” says one rival lawyer.

Wellington-based partner Dean Oppenhuis is “strong in telecommunications work”, comments another rival partner.

The past year saw the Bell Gully team advise Crown Fibre on all the legal aspects of the New Zealand Government’s ultra-fast broadband (UFB) initiative. Crown Fibre is the Government’s investment vehicle for the UFB initiative, which involves US$1.25 billion of funding.

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“Simpson Grierson is a major law firm in New Zealand with a high level of expertise in technology related matters”, says one client. The firm’s practitioners “are prepared to be flexible when needed”, and “have always provided us with the advice that ... [more]

“Simpson Grierson is a major law firm in New Zealand with a high level of expertise in technology related matters”, says one client. The firm’s practitioners “are prepared to be flexible when needed”, and “have always provided us with the advice that we need” says another client.

“Don Holborow and his team are highly professional and very technically sound”, notes another client, who described fellow partner Karen Ngan as “an extremely capable and diligent lawyer”.

The firm advised Kordia on the joint venture arrangements, supply and construction contracts, and long term right-of-use agreements in the US$158 million OptiKor Trans-Tasman fibre optic cable project.

Simpson Grierson also advised the Central Fibre Consortium, which contained Unison Networks, Horizon Energy Distribution, Eastland Group, Counties Power and Centralines, on its participation in the ultra-fast broadband project for regions covered by the consortium members.

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“We will only use Webb Henderson for telecommunications work in New Zealand,” says one satisfied client. The firm is led by highly regarded partner Malcolm Webb, who is described by a competitor as “a top IT lawyer and generally very good”.The firm advised ... [more]

“We will only use Webb Henderson for telecommunications work in New Zealand,” says one satisfied client. The firm is led by highly regarded partner Malcolm Webb, who is described by a competitor as “a top IT lawyer and generally very good”.

The firm advised Vodafone NZ in relation to the Mobile Termination Access Services (MTAS) regulation ever since the Commerce Commission first investigated the issue. MTAS has been a contentious issue for many years because of its high value to all mobile operators, and the issue has been given considerable attention by the industry and the media.

A notable deal highlight for the firm was advising NBN Co, the entity responsible for constructing and operating Australia’s national broadband network, on the development of its Wholesale Broadband Agreement (WBA). On completion, the WBA will become one of the most sophisticated and cutting edge wholesale supply agreements in the telecommunications sector.

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“I find Lowndes Associates to be most professional and knowledgeable”, says one client. “Led by highly regarded partner Mark Lowndes, this excellent law firm is very professional”, agrees another client.Over the last year, the firm advised Waipa Networks, ... [more]

“I find Lowndes Associates to be most professional and knowledgeable”, says one client. “Led by highly regarded partner Mark Lowndes, this excellent law firm is very professional”, agrees another client.

Over the last year, the firm advised Waipa Networks, which was a member of the Central North Island Fibre Consortium that was shortlisted for negotiations with Crown Fibre Holdings for the first stage roll-out of the ultra-fast broadband initiative.

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Minter Ellison Rudd Watts’ outstanding experience in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors has been gained locally and internationally. This has insured that the team competes in these areas with the other powerhouse practices in the country. ... [more]

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts’ outstanding experience in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors has been gained locally and internationally. This has insured that the team competes in these areas with the other powerhouse practices in the country. Partner John McCay is a specialist in cross border financing, and handles financing and production matters for the New Zealand Film Commission.

The firm assisted 2degrees Mobile during the NZ Commerce Commission’s reconsideration investigation into whether to regulate mobile termination access services. In a worldwide global transaction, the firm provided legal support to Pacific Fibre, which is developing a submarine cable system linking Australia, New Zealand and the US.

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“A firm with great credentials, resources and capabilities”, says one client of Russell McVeagh’s TMT practice. Partners David Clarke and Pip Greenwood are “exceptionally good and very specific with their work”, adds another client.Russell McVeagh advised ... [more]

“A firm with great credentials, resources and capabilities”, says one client of Russell McVeagh’s TMT practice. Partners David Clarke and Pip Greenwood are “exceptionally good and very specific with their work”, adds another client.

Russell McVeagh advised Telecom New Zealand as the Crown Fibre Holding’s (CFH) ultra-fast broadband partner. This involved advising Telecom on its successful proposal to CFH to deliver the government’s national fibre network, in what was one of New Zealand’s largest TMT transactions of the year.

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