Peter Owles

Profile

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

Peter also specialises in infrastructure and project development. He has worked on projects in the roading and transport, water and waste water, energy, social housing, health, oil, gas and minerals, and telecommunications sectors, providing advice to sponsors, lenders, contractors and governments in New Zealand and internationally.

Peter also provides corporate and commercial advice to companies with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Peter has a particular interest in geothermal energy and has advised clients in New Zealand and internationally on a variety of projects.

Market recognition

"Peter is an excellent operator. He is generally regarded as one of the best lawyers in the country for complex structured finance matters. He provides sound, reasoned advice in a clear, calm manner." - IFLR1000

Peter is a "seasoned practitioner who is considered to be a market leader in terms of projects." - Chambers and Partners

Peter is "a recognised industry leader in project finance, who makes complicated legal issues easy to understand." - Legal 500

Recognised by IFLR1000 as a highly regarded lawyer for banking and finance

Peter is listed as a 'leading lawyer' for projects and resource management (including environment) by Legal 500

Work highlights

Advising the finance parties

on the project financing of Tauhei Solar Farm, being developed by a joint venture between Harmony Energy and First Renewables (a Clarus company). On completion in late 2026, the solar farm will add 202 Megawatt peak (MWp) of energy capacity to the New Zealand grid

Advising lenders on significant financing transaction

under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act

Advising lenders

in relation to transactions under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing legislation

Advising Treasury

in relation to PPP transactions

Advising lenders

in relation to Mount Cass Wind Farm and Hiringa green hydrogen projects

Acting for Bank of New Zealand

as lender providing limited recourse project financing for the Cardrona Valley water and wastewater projects

Advising Infratil and Brookfield

in relation to the acquisition of One NZ (formerly Vodafone NZ)

Advising Norske Skog

in relation to the closure and sale of the Kawerau paper mill

Advising the lender providing finance

to listed retirement village operators Ryman and Summerset

Advising Central Plains Water

on the funding for and construction of the Central Plains irrigation scheme

Acting for lenders

providing financing facilities to Auckland Council

Advising Ormat as equipment supplier and EPC contractor

for various geothermal generation facilities in New Zealand (including Ngatamariki, Te Ahi o Maui and Ngawha)

Advising developers, contractors and financiers

on various geothermal, solar and other renewable energy developments in Africa and the Pacific Islands

Advising lenders

providing project finance for the Southern Cross and SX Next fibre optic cable projects

Experience

Sector/Expertise

Alternate contacts