Energy and resources

Buddle Findlay stands at the centre of many key developments in New Zealand's energy and resources industry.  Armed with a deep understanding of strategic drivers, our energy and resources team is well placed to advise on all aspects of the legal and regulatory framework.

Overview

We are a leading law firm 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 an adviser to the Electricity Authority, the principal electricity industry regulator.  Other public sector clients include government departments, Crown entities and state-owned enterprises.

We have advised a number of the most significant industry participants in New Zealand such as Chevron, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Infratil, TrustPower, Vector, Pioneer Generation 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.



Work highlights

Appointed legal adviser

to the Auckland Light Rail Project

Advising Genesis

on the reconsenting of its existing Tekapo A and B hydro-electric power stations

Advising Waka Kotahi, Auckland Transport, Auckland International Airport and Te Ākitai Waiohua

on all aspects of the Airport to Botany Rapid Transit Network

Assisting Contact Energy's

internal and expert advisory team in the successful consenting of the GeoFuture Geothermal Power Development

Advising Contact Energy

on the construction of the Te Mihi geothermal electricity generation project, the Ahuroa gas storage project, the establishment of a joint venture for the development of the Taheke geothermal generation project with local Maori landowners and on the construction contracting arrangements for the Otahuhu B, Wairakei Binary, and Whirinaki power stations

Advising Genesis Energy

on issues associated with the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014, Variation 5, the Waitaki Sub-region, to the Proposed Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan and water allocation issues associated with its Tekapo hydro-generation assets


Our team

Alastair Hercus

Partner, Wellington

Alastair specialises in public and commercial law. He advises clients on legislative design, decision making by statutory bodies…

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Daniel Kelleher

Partner, Auckland

Daniel has earned his reputation as a leading practitioner in the property sector by developing strong and lasting relationships with…

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David Allen

Partner, Wellington

David specialises in all aspects of resource management, environmental and natural resources law and local government law…

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David Randal

Partner, Wellington

David specialises in resource management, environmental and Māori law. He has advised clients at the heart of intensive RMA…

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Grant Dunn

Partner, Auckland

Grant specialises in corporate and commercial law and has over 20 years experience. He previously spent six years with the London…

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Hamish Kynaston

Partner, Wellington

Hamish specialises in employment relations, litigation, health law, health and safety, and education…

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Jennifer Caldwell

Partner, Auckland
National Chair

Jennifer specialises in resource management, environmental and local government law, with extensive experience as a strategic…

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Lisette Hood

Partner, Auckland

Lisette specialises in corporate and commercial law, with particular emphasis on commercial contracting, corporate governance and merge…

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Paul Beverley

Partner, Wellington

Paul was the National Chair of Buddle Findlay from 2017 to March 2020. Paul specialises in Māori Law, Treaty settlement negotiations…

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Peter Chemis

Partner, Wellington

Peter specialises in employment law, industrial relations and related areas, and leads Buddle Findlay’s national employment team…

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Peter Owles

Partner, Auckland

Peter is an expert in all aspects of banking and financial services law, with over 30 years' experience…

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Susie Kilty

Partner, Wellington

Susie specialises in competition, fair trading, overseas investment consents and economic regulation, particularly of infrastructure in…

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Thaddeus Ryan

Partner, Wellington

Thad specialises in resource management and Māori law. Thad has a particular specialty in RMA consenting and…

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Tony Wilkinson

Partner, Auckland

Tony has a highly regarded practice acting for public and private sector clients. He is the lead tax advisor for Buddle Findlay’s most…

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Vanessa Evitt

Partner, Auckland

Vanessa specialises in resource management, infrastructure, and environmental law.…

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