The multidisciplinary infrastructure practice at Dentons Kensington Swan has demonstrable experience in large-scale public-private partnerships (PPPs), counting New Zealand transport agencies, including Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, as well as local public authorities among its key roster of clients. In the firm’s Auckland office, managing partner Matthew Ockleston, who is praised for his ‘deep public works knowledge’, jointly leads the team alongside construction partner Paul Buetow and Wellington-based Nicky McIndoe, who advises on infrastructure projects and issues relating to the Resources Management Act. In Auckland, other key contacts in the team include Stuart Robertson, who has considerable experience in the construction and infrastructure sectors, and specialist resource management partner Christina Sheard.

Praised for its ‘impressive understanding of all aspects of air transport’, Russell McVeagh ‘offers a great depth of expertise’ across the transport sector, advising on large-scale road and rail infrastructure projects for a number of national airport and port operators - including the Ports of Auckland and Auckland International Airport - among others. In the firm’s Auckland office, national chair of the environment, planning and natural resources group, Daniel Minhinnick, jointly leads the practice alongside Wellington-based Mei Fern Johnson, who focuses on commercial contracting, M&A transactions and investment in (and procurement of) infrastructure, transport and energy projects. Other key members of the team include Allison Arthur-Young, who handles development and infrastructure projects, as well as district and regional planning matters, and Simon Pilkinton, who is noted for his experience in the water, municipal waste and port sectors. Both partners operate from the firm’s Auckland office.

With ‘great knowledge of the port industry’, Anthony Harper’s Christchurch-based transport and logistics practice advises its roster of clients, including freight forwarders and carriers, ports and exporters, on a broad range of matters, from aircraft charter agreements and shipping contracts to regulatory advice, cargo loss and damage claims. Praised for his ‘commercial nous and practical knowledge of the transport sector and legislation’, practice leader Chris Dann handles mandates relating to domestic and international carriage of goods, freight forwarding and logistics, vessel procurement, and supply and distribution arrangements, among others. Dann frequently collaborates with other teams across the firm on transport and logistics matters, involving health and safety, construction and finance issues, as well as litigation.

Bell Gully counts some of the most well-known New Zealand-based companies and operators in the transport sector among its key roster of clients. Following the retirement of Hugh Kettle in November 2021 and the departure of Andrew Beatson in July 2022, who left to recommence his practice as a barrister, Auckland-based Torrin Crowther now leads the team alongside David Chisnall, who operates from the Wellington office. Crowther also heads the firm’s competition law group and Chisnall is a key contact for real estate matters, as well as development and construction projects, including ports, transport and infrastructure. In Auckland, other key members of the team include Ian Becke and environmental and resource management specialist Natasha Garvan.

The Auckland-based practice at Hesketh Henry has demonstrable experience in the shipping and logistics sectors, and advises a diverse roster of cargo underwriters, port operators, commodities traders and logistics companies on transactional, regulatory, health and safety, and contentious matters – often involving an international element. Transport and trade law specialist Simon Cartwright is noted for his expertise in shipping, marine insurance, commodities and international debt recovery, and handles all types of maritime claims. Consultant Ruth Allcoat advises on commercial shipping and yachting clients on maritime transactions, and has experience in international ship financing matters. Alan Sherlock remains a key contact in the team.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts provides a ‘flexible but consistent level of service’ to its roster of clients – including government bodies, constructors, developers and operators – on large-scale road and rail, port and maritime infrastructure projects. The practice has demonstrable capability in advising on the full lifecycle of a project, from funding and procurement to construction, delivery and ongoing operations. In the firm’s Auckland office, practice leader and infrastructure specialist Sarah Sinclair focuses on funding models, procurement strategies and contracting structures, and is frequently assisted by senior associate Jordan Oldham.