Firm Takes Top Prize at Prestigious Australasian Law Awards

20 May 2011

Simpson Grierson was delighted to win the New Zealand Deal of the Year Award at the prestigious ALB Australasian Law Awards 2011, held in Sydney last night.

The firm was named a joint winner for the 'New Zealand Deal of the Year Award' for its work with the Auckland Transitional Authority (ATA) on the historic $29.5 billion Auckland local authority amalgamation.

New Zealand history was made on 1 November 2010 when Auckland's seven city and district councils, and the Auckland Regional Council, were disestablished and a new unitary authority 'Auckland Council' was formed.

A large team across the firm worked on the amalgamation - the largest in New Zealand history with an asset base of NZ$29.5 billion and annual capital expenditure of approximately NZ$3 billion.

Simpson Grierson Chairman Kevin Jaffe said, "The ATA, led by Mark Ford, achieved a remarkable outcome for the Auckland region. We are proud to have played our part".