Profile
Tom specialises in real estate, construction, procurement and infrastructure projects.
Tom’s work covers both public and private sector clients. His construction experience includes NZS, FIDIC, NEC, AS and other recognised construction contract forms. His real estate experience includes Public Works Act compulsory acquisition, acquisition, disposal, subdivision and development, and overseas investment.
Tom advised Auckland Transport, which is responsible for Auckland's transport system, on public transport services and infrastructure. He advised on the procurement of rail, ferry and bus services, supply and maintenance of integrated ticketing smartcard system, new electric trains, ferries and buses (including electrification infrastructure), and the redevelopment of railway stations and ferry terminals.
He is advising Auckland Council and Auckland Transport on the $5.5b city rail link and the $14.5b Auckland light rail project.
Clients commend his work as being 'consistently high quality' and highlight his 'pragmatic strategic advice'. In previous editions, Tom is named as a "central government expert who is known for his work advising government bodies on the development of the public transportation infrastructure in urban areas.
Chambers Asia-Pacific
"Tom Bennett is technically brilliant, and his calm yet unyielding demeanor is effective is negotiations."
Legal 500
"Tom Bennett has a deep understanding of this area and has extensive experience in leading numerous significant public transport procurement and associated projects including rail, ferry and bus services, rail and bus vehicles and ferries. He is diligent and provides timely, commercially astute and pragmatic, strategic advice."
Legal 500
- Recognised by IFLR1000 as a highly regarded lawyer for project development and real estate acquisitions
- Tom is listed as a 'leading partner' for transport by Legal 500, and a 'leading individual' for construction by Chambers
- Member of the New Zealand Society of Construction Law and Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society
Work highlights
Advising Auckland Transport and Auckland Council
on the commercial and contracting aspects of the city rail link project and the Auckland light rail project
Advising the Supporting Growth Alliance (with NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport)
on the interim project alliance agreement and project alliance agreement
Advising Methanex
on contracting for the Motunui distillation de-bottlenecking project
Advising Tauranga City Council
on their construction contracts for the second bioreactor at Te Maunga wastewater treatment facility
Advising Genesis Energy
on various construction contracts for its hydro electric power station assets
Advising Crown Fibre Holdings
on the New Zealand construction market aspects of its Rural Broadband Initiative project agreement