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Public Law & Regulation

Guidance through complex environments

Government policy and regulation matter for business; and business has an important contribution to make to Government policy, regulatory and legislative processes.
 
Clients choose our team for its depth of knowledge of the machinery of government and proven track record of achieving results. We guide clients through complex public law and regulatory law matters, as well as helping them to engage with both local and national government.

Our dedicated Wellington team is based within the heart of New Zealand Government, and understand how Wellington works and how decisions get made.

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 Auckland International Airport, KiwiRail, Watercare, Vector, Meridian Energy, Spark, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Port of Auckland, Westpac, Woolworths and Wellington Water.

Public, Constitutional and Administrative law

The interpretation and application of statutes that govern the exercise of powers by Government agencies are a core aspect of administrative law. Central to our public law practice is helping our clients to work through these complex statutes to achieve the best possible outcome.

Our team of lawyers utilise their vast combined experience to guide clients through parliamentary processes and the exercise of powers by the legislature and Government. Our variety of expertise produces influential advice on matters of constitutional law and parliamentary process.

Our experience includes advising:

  • Advising Callaghan Innovation on the statutory basis of its various great programmes.
  • Advising EQC on a range of statutory issues as a Crown Entity.
  • Advising Let's Get Wellington Moving on the legal foundation for targeted rates and congestion charging.
  • Acting for the Accident Compensation Corporation in successfully defending judicial review proceedings challenging its funding response to alleged conflicts of interest in the radiological sector.
  • Representing KiwiRail in its successful defence of a judicial review challenging the decision as to the location of railway infrastructure.

Government relations & Regulatory affairs

By participating in the policy process, businesses can pursue outcomes and avoid the costly consequences of adverse policy. Our Government relations team has strong relationships with Ministers, politicians, officials and advisers. These relationships, together with our extensive knowledge of policy, political and legislative processes, provide real assistance to our clients in their engagement with Government.

We know that politicians don’t want to hear from specialist advocates which is why it is our mission to connect our clients directly with decision makers. We will take a direct advocacy role when necessary, yet our role is about supporting our clients in their government relations rather than substituting for them. We apply our extensive experience to making sure our clients engage at the right time, in the right forum and in the right way.

Our experience includes: 

  • Leading policy debate and reform on regulatory issues across a range of economic sectors, including infrastructure, energy, water, telecommunications, ports, airports, transport, dairy, medicines, food, hazardous substances, and finance sectors.
  • Advising the wider energy sector on a process and mechanism to drive the electrification of the NZ energy sector.
  • Assisting electricity lines and airport businesses in relation to major Commerce Commission work streams.
  • Advising a range of clients on Parliamentary procedure, Parliamentary Standing Orders, and Regulations Review.
  • Advising clients on a range of Royal Commissions and Ministerial Inquiries.
  • Drafting Bills for various Members of Parliament and political parties.
  • Representing private sector providers to District Health Boards in high profile contractual disputes and defending our clients against hostile competitive lobbying.
  • Assisting international clients with complex OIO issues.

     

Local Government

Our Local Government team specialises in working with Councils on significant projects that change the dial for their communities. We bring strategic thinking, expertise putting together transactions and managing internal and external stakeholders, commercial nous and deep experience achieving outcomes within the public sector environment.

Local government decision-making processes take place within an intricate legislative, regulatory and policy context. We are experts on the Local Government Act and our team is experienced in delivering outcomes within this context and has a wide network of relationship with local government decision-makers across the motu.

As active participants in critical local government reorganisations, we have advised a range of clients on making submissions and drafting legislation.

We can assist with the formation of CCOs, the development of city- or regional-wide deals, and other projects involving interaction between local government with central government and/or the private sector.

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