MinterEllisonRuddWatts‘ construction and real estate teams advise on many of New Zealand’s most complex transactions, projects and disputes. Scott Thompson and Mark Crosbie lead the construction team, advising domestic and international clients across a range of sectors including transport, energy, utilities, and commercial development. The group provides strategic guidance through project delivery and high-stakes disputes. Sarah Sinclair specialises in construction, infrastructure, and energy matters; Stephen Price manages delivery of major construction projects; and Janine Stewart advises on construction, property, and project disputes. David Gilbert leads the real estate team, which covers acquisitions and divestments, major development projects, overseas investments, commercial portfolio management, and leasing matters; within the team, Amanda Spratt specialises inr eal estate acquisitions and disposals and priperty finance. The team is supported by Holly Hill, who brings to the table a wealth of experience in the commercial property area. Andrew Monteith departed the firm in December 2024.
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Profile
Work Department
Construction and Infrastructure
Position
Partner
Career
Mark is highly regarded for his specialist legal work in large scale and complex property, construction, and development projects. He provides high-end, commercial and strategic advice to public and private sector clients about development and construction issues. He is an expert in project structuring, funding, procurement, legislative and regulatory compliance, and project documentation. He also provides commercial advice on project disputes.
Mark acts primarily for owners and developers, as well as investors and funders of projects, both domestically and internationally. He also acts for some key contractors. He has extensive industry experience including in the following sectors: large scale residential, shopping centres, hospitals, retirement, office and commercial, heritage projects, and technology.
Mark’s clients include Kiwi Property Group (New Zealand’s largest listed property company), Cooper and Company (owner and developer of Auckland’s CBD waterfront heritage precinct), Generus Living Group (high-end retirement village developers and operators), several Government Ministries, and several Health Boards.
Regularly engaged for significant New Zealand commercial projects, Mark advises on planning, procurement strategies and implementation. As a former director of major construction and development companies, Mark is renowned for his pragmatic advice. He also advises on dispute resolution strategies, has experience conducting independent reviews of projects, and has sat on project dispute resolution boards.
His formidable track record of achievement in development projects features high profile office and residential towers and precincts, hospitals and medical premises, data centres, port developments, regional parks, utilities, education assets, and social housing projects.
Mark also has expertise in real estate financed transactions and the acquisition and sale of commercial property.
A regular industry commentator, Mark has presented a variety of seminars on construction related legislation, particularly the Construction Contracts Act and the Building Act. He lectures the construction law papers for the Master of Engineering degree at the University of Auckland. Recently he has provided COVID-19 related presentations to the construction sector, with a focus on sector business and projects continuity.
Memberships
- Member, Society of Construction Law New Zealand
- Member, Property Council New Zealand (PCNZ)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ commercial property practice stands out to me for its deep expertise in commercial property and its ability to balance legal precision with practical, business-focused advice. The team consistently considers both business and reputational risk, ensuring solutions are not only legally sound but also commercially viable.' 'David Gilbert provides exceptional advice based upon many years of experience in the NZ property market. Katrine Kofoed has huge capacity for delivering accurate, dependable and well considered legal advice.' 'The partners are embedded in the construction industry, with decades of combined experience acting for owners, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants across the entire project lifecycle. They speak the language of construction, understand the technical and commercial drivers behind every project, and translate complex legal risk into clear, actionable advice that keeps projects moving.' 'Janine Stewart and Grant de Lisle are outstanding construction law advisers. Janine’s strategic foresight and ability to translate complex issues into practical solutions is unmatched. They respond quickly, think ahead, and go above and beyond to protect our interests and keep projects on track. Supported by an exceptional team, they set the benchmark for construction law excellence in New Zealand.' 'Probably the best team in the country in terms of front end and back end expertise.' 'Holly Hill has strong legal knowledge across the government and commercial sectors. She considers matters from both a legal and commercial view point and becomes an excellent collaborator within a project team. Her advice is given with confidence and a willingness to have it tested if needs be but always with a suitable level of caution.' 'Sarah Sinclair is a leading construction and infrastructure lawyer who is very well connected, with great industry profile and contacts and who has fantastic vision. Janine Stewart is an excellent litigator and has built a strong industry profile.' 'Two individuals who particularly stood out are David Gilbert and Jennifer Campbell. They demonstrated strong teamwork, professionalism, and a calm, steady approach that we found especially impressive. They have become our trusted, go-to team for management contract negotiation.'
Key clients
- ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited / Arawata Assets Limited Argosy Property Limited Bupa Care Services New Zealand Limited IKEA New Zealand Limited Kiwi Property Group Precinct Properties Holdings Limited Metlifecare Limited Milford Asset Management New Zealand Government (Multiple agencies and departments) Stride Prop & Stride Invest Mgmt Ltd Westpac (NZ) Investments Ltd Z Energy Limited Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Channel Infrastructure Cooper & Company Crown Infrastructure Delivery Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua Ferry Holdings Fulton Hogan Generus Living Group Jacobs New Zealand Kiwi Property Group Metlifecare Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment | Hīkina Whakatutuki Ministry of Transport | Te Manatū Waka Tait Communications Wellington Gateway Partnership
Work highlights
Advising Heritage Hotels, New Zealand’s leading accommodation provider, on its partnership with TFE Hotels, one of Australia’s fastest growing hospitality businesses.