Tony specialises in competition law and regulatory processes, especially in infrastructure industries.

Tony’s practice is unique as he is involved in the design of regulation as well as acting for clients who are regulated.  This adds an extra dimension to what Tony is able to offer clients - a deep understanding of what regulation is about and strong relationships with policy advisers and regulators.

Tony is the lead partner in Buddle Findlay’s competition law practice.  Competition law underpins all economic regulation and potentially affects every business operating in New Zealand.

During his career Tony has been involved in the design and passing of a large number of New Zealand’s business law and industry regulation statutes.  These include the Commerce Act, Fair Trading Act, and the legislation relating to telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services, radiocommunications, and the energy sector.

Recent work includes:

  • Acting for Manawatu Waste in successfully opposing the granting of clearance for Transpacific Industries to acquire certain assets of Enviro Waste Services
  • Advising the Electricity Commission on its consideration of Transpower’s proposal to upgrade the transmission grid into Auckland
  • Acting for Contact Energy in the Commerce Commission’s inquiry into the electricity industry
  • Acting for Abano Healthcare on its successful clearance application to merge with Sonic Healthcare (New Zealand) in the Wellington region
  • Obtaining clearance under the Commerce Act for Contact Energy to acquire the Taranaki Combined Cycle generation plant
  • Acting for The Marketplace Company and Efficient Market Services on the proposal by the Minister of Commerce to make the Unlisted securities trading facility subject to section 36B of the Securities Markets Act 1988
  • Appearing before the Commerce Commission on authorisation applications for the Electricity Governance Board rulebook and the Pohokura joint venture gas marketing proposal
  • Advising the government on the Commerce Act implications of the establishment of the Tertiary Education Commission
  • Advising on the preparation of the of the Building Act 2004, Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act 2002, Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001, Accident Insurance Amendment Act 2001 and Fisheries Amendment Act 2001.
  • LLB University of Canterbury

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