Buddle Findlay is one of New Zealand’s leading law firms in the energy and natural resources field with specialist expertise and an in-depth knowledge of this industry sector.

We advise a number of significant investors in the energy industry in connection with potential acquisitions and regularly act for banks providing finance to the industry.  We are also the leading adviser to the Electricity Authority, the principal electricity industry regulator.  Other public sector clients include government departments and state-owned enterprises.

Clients and services

We have advised a number of the most significant industry participants in New Zealand such as Chevron, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Infratil, TrustPower, Vector and Westpower on various aspects of their businesses including corporate transactions, development and acquisition of new assets, emissions trading, hedging, regulatory issues, planning and environmental issues, supply contracts, customer arrangements, and general corporate and commercial advice.

Buddle Findlay’s team has particular knowledge of the regulatory regimes governing electricity, oil and gas, and mining in New Zealand and regularly advises on industry-specific legislation, including assisting clients with the preparation of submissions to regulators such as the Commerce Commission, and assisting clients with Commerce Commission investigations, such as the recent electricity industry inquiry.

Recent work

  • Advising the consortium of Infratil and Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Fund on the acquisition of the retail assets of Shell New Zealand
  • Advising Contact Energy on the Te Mihi geothermal electricity generation project, the construction of the Ahuroa gas storage project and the establishment of a joint venture for the development of the Taheke geothermal generation project with local Maori landowners
  • Advising Investec Bank (Australia) and Taylor Woodings (as receivers) on the receivership of Austral Pacific Energy (NZ) and subsequent sale of assets
  • Advising Ormat International on projects in New Zealand for which Ormat is the supplier of geothermal power station plant and equipment
  • Advising Westpower, an electricity lines company, on various development projects
  • Advising Methanex on gas supply arrangements
  • Acting for the lenders providing project finance to various electricity generation development projects and oil and gas development projects.

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