For All Areas

Networks & Utilities

Simpson Grierson has a strong tradition of advising across the network and utility sectors.

Market reforms in the early to mid 1990s saw a move away from a public sector model. We were closely involved with these reforms, and continue to be involved in current reforms.

We understand the mechanics of the different market sectors. We advise clients on diverse issues such as land access, Resource Management Act consents, network build, network interconnectivity, government regulation, access, price control rights, and obligations for network providers. We also advise on the structure of industry-based arrangements and co-operative investment and funding models, such as public private partnerships (PPPs).

View Our Experience

Our Experience

  • Ministry of Economic Development - structure of Crown Fibre Holdings and Invitation to Participate for the government's $1.5 billion Ultra-Fast Broadband Project
  • OMV New Zealand - New Zealand oil and gas portfolio, including development of the Pohokura field, the sale of Pohokura gas, renegotiation of the Maui field arrangements, access arrangements for the Maui pipeline, Maari oil project and general joint venture issues
  • New Zealand Oil and Gas - oil and gas portfolio including Kupe development and gas sales matters, Tui exploration and other exploration prospects
  • Transpower - major transmission upgrade projects (resource consenting, procurement and build contracts), system operation issues arrangements (including negotiation of the long-term system operator contract with the Electricity Commission), and application of market rules and other regulatory requirements (including Electricity Governance Rules and targeted price control)
  • Gas Industry Co - legal aspects of development of gas industry regulation, including statutory interpretation, rule drafting and competition law issues
  • First Quantum Mineral - PPP proposal for refurbishment of hydro generation and transmission infrastructure
  • Counties Power - sale of Wired Country broadband division to Compass Communications, and sale of radio spectrum management rights to Telecom
  • Te Māngai Pāho (the Māori broadcasting funding agency) - rollout and support of a national broadcasting contribution/distribution network enabling the sharing of broadcasts between Māori radio stations located throughout New Zealand
  • Transmission Holdings (now Kordia) - repair and maintenance services agreement for Broadcast Australia's infrastructure throughout Australia
  • The Crown - sale of its central North Island geothermal assets to Mighty River Power
  • Energex - arrangements with the line companies of Vector and Waikato Electricity, and the acquisition of businesses and maintenance arrangements from United Networks
  • Northpower - commercial arrangements, including acquisition of Energex's New Zealand operations
  • Mighty River Power - establishment and separation issues arising from the split of ECNZ into three state owned enterprises
  • Mighty River Power - acquisition of Southdown gas-fired power station and associated issues
close x
What next?

Our People:

Robert McLean

Robert McLean Corporate & Commercial Partner

FULL PROFILE ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR

Related Articles:

Law Guides:Doing Business in New Zealand

We have many years of experience in providing advice to multinational firms and their professional advisers on all aspects of doing business in New Zealand.

Property & Infrastructure Archives: