Stephen specialises in development and construction infrastructure projects and complex commercial property advice. He also advises on commercial contracts, outsourcing and procurement.
His recent work includes advising Contact Energy on development, construction and procurement contracts for new power stations built at Otahuhu, Whirinaki and Wairakei.
He has advised a number of government entities and private sector clients on major development and construction projects (including Treasury, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and National Bank). Stephen also advised on development and construction contracts for the Museum Hotel in Wellington and Government House redevelopment in Auckland.
Stephen acts for a number of government and private sector clients on leasing transactions and property acquisitions and disposals. He led the legal team acting for Contact Energy to negotiate the uplift from the Crown of complex land rights required to operate a NZ$3b suite of electricity assets. The rights included electricity operating easements that have now been adopted for most hydro electricity lakes and rivers in New Zealand.
Stephen assisted the Local Government Commission to resolve the longstanding dispute between Wellington City Council and Wellington Regional Council on the ownership of Shelly Bay.
He has acted on a number of Requiring Authority actions, Public Works Act takings, compensation and disposals. He has advised on local authority projects (including the Waimakariri District Council sewage outfall project).
He provides outsourcing advice to a number of government and private sector entities (including Archives New Zealand and Capital Properties).
Stephen is a company director of the trading company of the St James Theatre and Opera House and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
- LLB Victoria University of Wellington