Praised for its ‘impressive depth of expertise’, Chapman Tripp is entrusted by a diverse range of clients – including multinational corporates, financial institutions, primary sector operators, and infrastructure providers and multinational companies – for its capabilities in domestic and multi-jurisdictional merger clearance applications, abuse of market power mandates and cartel issues, as well as contentious matters, such as Commerce Commission investigations. In the firm’s Wellington office, Lucy Cooper ‘has an excellent working knowledge of, and relationship with, the Commerce Commission’, while Simon Peart is noted for his expertise in the utilities sector and advises on merger control issues and other regulatory matters. The Auckland office is home to Matt Sumpter, who is a key contact for contentious competition matters and market behaviour investigations, while Wellington-based senior associate Jessica White joined the team from Buddle Findlay in October 2021.

Noted for its capability in handling merger clearance applications, Buddle Findlay houses a team of ‘problem solvers’ who advise both regulatory authorities and participants across the consumer goods, dairy, energy, financial services and health sectors on a range of competition matters. In the firm’s Wellington office, Tony Dellow specialises in competition law and regulatory processes, particularly in the infrastructure sectors, and has experience in merger and cartel investigations. The Wellington office is also home to Susie Kilty, who handles regulatory compliance mandates, as well as cartel and fair-trading investigations, while Auckland-based special counsel Anna Parker is lauded by clients for her ability ‘to explain the complex simply’ – engaging with regulators, including domestic corporates and government entities.

‘Truly specialist competition boutique’ Matthews Law is noted for its capability in multi-jurisdictional mandates, pertaining to merger control and cartel investigations, in addition to regulatory compliance, M&A transactions and consumer issues. The Auckland-based team has demonstrable experience across the medical, telecoms, technology, construction and property sectors, counting local and international entities among its key roster of clients. ‘Enormously experienced’ Andrew Matthews advises on all aspects of competition and regulatory law, and has a long-established relationship with the New Zealand Commerce Commission. According to one client, Matthews has an ‘impressive knowledge of competition law, combined with a commercial nous, which ensures he is always offering solution-orientated advice to his clients’. Gus Stewart left the firm in March 2021 to join telecoms service provider Vocus New Zealand.

Simpson Grierson regularly assists clients in obtaining Commerce Commission clearances and authorisations for acquisitions, in addition to regulatory compliance matters and investigations relating to alleged restrictive trade practices and other anti-competitive behaviour. Anne Callinan ‘is a safe pair of hands’ when representing clients in cartel litigation and has demonstrable experience in High Court cases and investigations in New Zealand. The firm’s Auckland office is also home to James Craig, who focuses on the competition law aspects of M&A transactions and restrictive trade practices, and Nina Blomfield, who ‘grasps complex issues quickly and works to practically resolve issues’, especially when advising on merger clearances. All named partners collectively lead the team.

Specialist litigation firm Wilson Harle counts anti-competitive conduct litigation, fair trading prosecution, as well as cartel investigation and enforcement proceedings in its caseload, with demonstrable experience across the consumer goods, electronics, telecoms and transport sectors. ‘Client-focused’ Ian Denton frequently acts in proceedings and investigations before the New Zealand Commerce Commission and has advised clients on merger clearances. Other key members of the team include Allison Ferguson and Felicity Monteiro, who continue to represent Vodafone New Zealand Limited in fair trading prosecutions brought by the Commerce Commission. Based in Auckland, all named partners collectively lead the ‘thorough and methodical’ team.