Public Sector

Local Government

We are acknowledged as New Zealand's leading local government law firm. Our expertise ranges from the day-to-day operation of councils in their statutory and political environments, to the highest level strategic developments affecting local government as a whole.

As advisers to most of the local authorities in New Zealand, including the major city and regional councils based in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, we have extensive and long-standing networks with key policy and decision makers throughout local government. We are also the principal legal adviser to the industry body Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM).

Our local government specialists regularly work alongside our experts in property and infrastructure to advise local authorities, New Zealand Government owned and controlled entities, and corporate clients to deliver successful outcomes for their major projects.

The areas in which we are regularly involved include decision-making processes, local legislation, financial management and funding, property, infrastructure, environmental management, regulatory matters, commercial contracts, tendering, and governance.

View Our Experience

Our Experience

Auckland City Council - Wynyard Point Tank Farm multi-billion dollar redevelopment, including the District Plan appeals
New Plymouth District Council - proposal to facilitate the return of council land at Waitara to tangata whenua and defending consequential legal action brought by the Waitara Leaseholders Association
Auckland City Council, North Shore City Council, Rodney District Council, and Tourism Auckland - project management of the Host Region Agreement, covering Auckland's successful bid for the Rugby World Cup 2011 matches
Auckland City Council, North Shore City Council, Rodney District Council, Franklin District Council, and Tauranga District Council - primary legal adviser in relation to development contributions
Combined Auckland local authorities - advising on implications of the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau) Reorganisation Act
The Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act, which required all Auckland territorial authorities to fund Auckland's amenities
Christchurch City Council and New Plymouth District Council - advising on mandatory review of bylaws under the Local Government Act 2002
Britomart - the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by a local authority in New Zealand, involving property acquisitions, development agreements, joint ventures, and public/private partnerships (PPPs) for the new commercial and retail precinct and transport centre
Local Government New Zealand - successfully lobbied for the re-instatement of the exemption from the full disclosure requirements of the Securities Act
Auckland Regional Council and Waitakere City Council - legislative drafting and policy development for the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act

close x