Simpson Grierson, working alongside Allens, has advised the Southern Renewal Partners, the consortium comprising Plenary Group, Webuild Concessions and Leighs Group, on the Christchurch Men's Prison redevelopment project.

The project is the first public-private partnership (PPP) in New Zealand to reach financial close since the Government reintroduced the PPP model.

The redevelopment is one of New Zealand's largest social infrastructure PPP projects and will deliver new correctional accommodation, health, intervention and support facilities at Christchurch Men's Prison. 

The transaction was led by Corporate Partners Catherine Shipton and Edward Norman and Construction Partner Lisa Curran, with Simpson Grierson working alongside Australian law firm Allens.

Financial close was achieved on 22 July 2026 following the Department of Corrections’ appointment of Southern Renewal Partners as preferred bidder in March.

The consortium will design, build, finance and maintain the first phase of the redevelopment over a 25-year term. Phase one includes a 240-bed high-security accommodation building, a 52-bed intervention and support unit and health centre, and supporting operational facilities, with a pathway to a second phase.

A landmark social infrastructure project

Simpson Grierson Corporate Partner Catherine Shipton says:

"The Christchurch Men's Prison redevelopment represents more than the return of the PPP model. It is a significant social infrastructure project that will support the long-term needs of New Zealand's corrections system while drawing on the expertise of leading international and local participants. It was exciting to work alongside Plenary Group, Webuild Concessions and Leighs Group on a transaction that brought together multiple stakeholders, sophisticated financing arrangements, and a broad range of contractual and operational requirements."

Corporate Partner Edward Norman adds:

"We were pleased to support the consortium through a long and demanding bid process alongside the Allens team. Plenary brings a strong track record in delivering complex social infrastructure, and the consortium’s willingness to work through the novel aspects of a project of this kind was an important factor in the project achieving financial close.

We look forward to continuing to work with the Southern Renewal Partners team as the project moves into construction and the operating phases."

Transaction detail

Simpson Grierson advised Southern Renewal Partners throughout the bid and financial close phases of the project, including:

• Consortium and investment arrangements: advising on the consortium structure and equity investment arrangements between the Southern Renewal Partners participants.

• Project delivery framework: advising on the project agreement with the Department of Corrections and the related design, construction and facilities management subcontracts.

• Financing: advising on the New Zealand law aspects of the debt financing and associated security arrangements.

• Planning, property and regulatory matters: supporting the land, planning and regulatory workstreams associated with the redevelopment.

Simpson Grierson team

Lead Partners: Catherine Shipton, Edward Norman, Lisa Curran.

Team: James Hawes, Tara Wylie, Stu Evans, Sarah Scott, Nick Chapman, Sonia Vitas, Zelda Gower, Dania Alsagoff, Will Barnes, Georgia Kellow, Shanae Richardson, Isabel van Tuinen, Briana Lyons, Georgia Thompson, Latesha Metzler, Hamish MacDonald, Phoebe Wood.