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.
"Buddle Findlay was ahead of the pack with its experience in energy, regulation and public law."
ALB Energy and Resources Guide
Work highlights
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
Advising Contact Energy
on the consenting of all of its hydro, geothermal, thermal and wind projects
Advising the Electricity Authority
on its review of Transpower New Zealand's proposal to vary the transmission pricing methodology
Advising the developer of the proposed Tikitere geothermal generation project
under a BOOT arrangement on all aspects of the project
Acting for the BOOT developer
of the KA24 geothermal generation project in Kawerau
Our team
Alastair Hercus
Partner, Wellington
Alastair specialises in public and commercial law. He advises clients on legislative design, decision-making by statutory bodies…
- DDI +64 4 498 7318
- M +64 21 449 993
Daniel Kelleher
Partner, Auckland
Daniel specialises in property law and has extensive experience in property sector, corporate, banking and commercial transactions…
- DDI +64 9 358 7022
- M +64 21 618 535
David Allen
Partner, Wellington
David specialises in all aspects of resource management, environmental and natural resources law and local government law. He is a…
- DDI +64 4 462 0423
- M +64 21 955 744
David Randal
Partner, Wellington
David specialises in resource management, environmental and Māori law. He has advised clients at the heart of intensive RMA processes…
- DDI +64 4 462 0450
- M +64 21 742 863
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…
- DDI +64 9 363 0636
- M +64 21 888 812
Hamish Kynaston
Partner, Wellington
Hamish specialises in employment relations, litigation, health law, health and safety, and education…
- DDI +64 4 462 0439
- M +64 21 279 2147
Jennifer Caldwell
Partner, Auckland
National Chair
Jennifer specialises in resource management, environmental and local government law, with extensive experience as a strategic…
- DDI +64 9 358 7034
- M +64 21 624 162
Lisette Hood
Partner, Auckland
Lisette specialises in corporate and commercial law, with particular emphasis on commercial contracting, corporate governance and merge…
- DDI +64 9 358 7037
- M +64 27 220 5123
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, …
- DDI +64 4 462 0406
- M +64 21 276 9322
Peter Chemis
Partner, Wellington
Peter specialises in employment law, industrial relations and related areas, and leads Buddle Findlay’s national employment team…
- DDI +64 4 498 7339
- M +64 27 444 6619
Peter Owles
Partner, Auckland
Peter specialises in all aspects of banking and financial services law, with over 30 years' experience.…
- DDI +64 9 358 7047
- M +64 21 750 509
Stephen Whittington
Partner, Wellington
Stephen specialises in negotiation and documentation of commercial property transactions, development and construction advice…
- DDI +64 4 498 7329
- M +64 21 845 530
Steve Nightingale
Partner, Wellington
Steve specialises in corporate law including capital raising, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, limited partnership…
- DDI +64 4 498 7312
- M +64 27 668 2832
Susie Kilty
Partner, Wellington
Susie specialises in competition, fair trading, overseas investment consents and economic regulation, particularly of infrastructure in…
- DDI +64 4 498 7356
- M +64 21 792 134
Tony Dellow
Partner, Wellington
Tony specialises in competition law and regulatory processes, especially in infrastructure industries. Tony’s practice is unique…
- DDI +64 4 498 7304
- M +64 21 349 651
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…
- DDI +64 9 358 7066
- M +64 27 476 6587
Vanessa Evitt
Partner, Auckland
Vanessa specialises in resource management, environmental and local government law. She has acted…
- DDI +64 9 363 0584
- M +64 21 754 503