We're pleased to announce that Alora Williams has joined our construction team as a Senior Associate, based in our Wellington office.

Alora joins us from RCP, where she was General Counsel and Principal Advisor, advising public and private sector clients on major infrastructure, redevelopment and investment projects and leading multidisciplinary advisory teams. Before that, she was Senior Legal Counsel at Wellington City Council, advising on significant infrastructure, property and urban development projects, including governance, statutory decision-making and risk management.

Alora brings experience across the full project lifecycle, from procurement strategy, delivery models, contract structuring, commercial negotiations, to governance and stakeholder engagement. She has built this expertise on projects including the Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre, Bowen Campus Expansion, Christchurch Men's Prison PPP, Wellington Civic Square Redevelopment and Moa Point Sludge Minimisation Facility.

Having sat inside project sponsor, commercial and delivery teams herself, Alora offers clients a level of insight into project delivery that goes beyond typical legal advice. She has a reputation for being highly commercial, and clients value her ability to view issues through a practical, delivery-focused lens rather than a purely legal one.

That water sector experience is particularly timely. As New Zealand's new Water Services Council-Controlled Organisations move from establishment into delivery, including Wellington's Tiaki Wai, Alora's background advising on major water infrastructure gives her a practical understanding of the challenges ahead for these entities and the communities they serve.

Lisa Curran, construction partner, says: "Alora's mix of private practice, in-house and project delivery experience is a rare combination, and exactly what's needed as our water clients move from planning into delivery. Her commercial, delivery-focused perspective gives clients insight most lawyers simply can't offer. She adds real depth to our team, and we're excited about the difference she'll make for our clients as they move from planning into delivery."

Welcome to the team, Alora!