Transport

Overview

We work on New Zealand's most significant and transformational transport projects

We are a preferred legal provider for a number of New Zealand's most significant and transformational transport projects.

Our team includes New Zealand's largest environmental, resource management and Māori law team. We also have expertise in:

Procurement
Property and construction
Corporate and commercial
Banking and financial services.

We give advice to clients across the transport sector, including:

Transport regulation and policy
Resource management
Property
Construction
Commercial and procurement issues
Employment law.

Market recognition

“Buddle Findlay has one of the largest and most diverse transport practices in New Zealand, bringing together specialist expertise in environmental, resource management and Māori law expertise, along with a deep bench of corporate, commercial, finance, banking and competition lawyers with experience in the sector.” - Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

“The team has extensive experience in public transport – ferry, rail and bus operation, funding and arrangements in the Auckland context – and a strong understanding of the client and its drivers and risks. Consequently the team is able to provide prompt, pragmatic, effective and legally robust advice.” - Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

“I enjoy working with Buddle Findlay more than other firms as they are easy to work with, provide clear options for consideration when options are available, understand the client’s requirements, and acknowledge that not all decisions are based solely on particular legal matters.” - Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

Experience

Sector/Expertise

Work highlights

Auckland Light Rail

We advised Auckland Light Rail on the consenting and property aspects of the Auckland Light Rail project. Read more here

Let's Get Wellington Moving

We advised the Consortium of Local Authorities and the Crown on all aspects of the Let's Get Wellington Moving project. Read more here

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

We advised NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on the resolution of complex land rights in relation to roading projects, and negotiating and drafting a range of documents including entry agreements, temporary land access agreements, Māori cultural and land issues, acquisition agreements, easements, tunnel agreements, mitigation agreements, and Public Works Act matters and in relation to the planning and environmental frameworks in the Bay of Plenty, Whangārei and Northland.

City Rail Link

We advised Auckland Council and Auckland Transport on the City Rail Link project and the Auckland Light Rail project. Read more here

RiverLink

We advised the project partners (NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council) on the RiverLink project to deliver a series of critical infrastructure and urban design upgrades for the Hutt City CBD.

Te Tupu Ngātahi - Supporting Growth Alliance (NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport)

We are part of the Supporting Growth Alliance in Auckland - a five-seven year programme of work to obtain approvals for a new and upgraded transport network throughout greater Auckland.

Auckland Transport

We advised Auckland Transport on all aspects of its two most recent public transport procurement projects. These include: (i) its open market tender for a long term Auckland public transport rail services franchise contract; and (ii) its procurement programme for new public transport ferry vessels and ferry infrastructure, as well as a new public transport ferry service operator.

Hutt City Council

We advised Hutt City Council on the Eastern Bays shared path project which involves a new seawall that will provide walking/cycling opportunities as well as improving (and providing for future adaptions to) resilience to sea level rise.

Wellington International Airport

We advised Wellington International Airport on its international terminal project, runway and taxiway upgrades, parking building and hotel developments, maintenance contracts, retail park development, and baggage handling system upgrades.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

We advised NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on its national integrated ticketing system, ongoing support arrangements for the drivers licensing system and the acquisition of a new Crash Analysis System.

Christchurch International Airport

We advised Christchurch International Airport on its Integrated Terminal Project - the redevelopment of international and domestic terminals.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission

We advised the Transport Accident Investigation Commission on the statutory scheme for allocating responsibility for safety among rail operators on the railway network.

Kinetic

We advised Kinetic of Australia (and its shareholder, OPTrust of Canada) on its acquisition of all of the shares in Go-Bus Holdings (previously owned by local Maori interests, Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation and Tainui Group Holdings). Read more here

TNX

We advised TNX on the sale of 100% of its shares to Transporeon GmbH.

Auckland Council

We advised Auckland Council on the development of Aotea Station (including the development of the over-station development). Read more here

Auckland Transport

We advised Auckland Transport on the acquisition of 23 new three-car electric multiple units from Construcciones y Auxilia de Ferrpcarriles S.A.

Our team