Profile
Alastair specialises in public and commercial law. He advises clients on legislative design, decision making by statutory bodies, corporate governance and corporate structure, management of public expenditure through public sector contracting, industry regulation, and public law obligations of public sector bodies.
Alastair has specialist expertise in the health sector where he advises the Ministry of Health, Te Whatu Ora and other public health sector agencies on a range of legislative, regulatory and commercial issues.
Alastair is one of New Zealand's leading experts on co-operative and mutual business structures, advising on both legislative issues affecting the sector and the structure of individual co-operatives. He is an experienced adviser on primary sector issues, advising industry organisations and major exporters such as Zespri International on regulatory and commercial issues.
Alastair has significant corporate governance experience. He is a Commissioner of EQC, Chair of Co-operative Life and a director of Fonterra Shareholders' Fund and Invercargill Airport.
Prior to joining Buddle Findlay, Alastair worked for nine years as a lawyer and diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which included a four year posting in Santiago, Chile.
"Acknowledged by market sources as 'a true public law specialist,' and cited by a client for his 'exceptional legal mind and ability to translate complex concepts in an easy-to-understand and pragmatic way,' the same source going on to say: 'He holds a very high degree of trust within our sector including that of executive members at ministerial level'."
Chambers Asia Pacific
Alastair Hercus is appreciated for his "detailed knowledge of health and government sectors in New Zealand".
Chambers and Partners
- Commissioner of EQC
- Member of the Risk and Advisory Committee of MBIE
- Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors
Experience
Sector / Expertise
- Administrative law, consultation and judicial review
- Advocacy and government relations
- Agribusiness, horticulture and forestry
- Biotechnology and therapeutic products
- Climate change and emissions trading
- Cooperatives
- Corporate and commercial
- Corporate governance
- Economic and infrastructure regulation
- Energy and resources
- Food and beverage
- Health
- Infrastructure
- Official information law
- Policy and legislation development
- Public and administrative law
- Public sector legal support
- Public sector procurement and contracting
Work highlights
Advising the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) and interim Health New Zealand
on the reform of the public health sector and the establishment of Te Whatu Ora
Advising Te Whatu Ora
on establishment issues, and the implementation of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022
Advising Te Whatu Ora
on major projects such as the reform of funding and contracting for primary and community care and the establishment of localities
Advising Zespri
on all aspects of its regulatory regime, corporate structure and major commercial and contract issues
Advising numerous co-operative companies
on corporate structure and commercial issues
Advising numerous Crown entities
on public law and corporate governance issues
Alternate contacts
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
Natasha Wilson
Partner, Wellington
Natasha is a member of our public law team in Wellington, and has extensive experience in the health, education, and science and…
- DDI +64 4 498 7344
- M +64 21 727 940
Rupert Rouch
Partner, Wellington
Rupert is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer who advises on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate …
- DDI +64 4 462 0939
- M +64 21 662 159