Alora is a construction, infrastructure, property and public sector lawyer with significant experience advising government, local authority and private sector clients on the procurement, delivery and governance of major infrastructure, redevelopment and investment projects.

Alora combines private practice, in-house legal leadership, commercial advisory and project delivery experience, giving her a practical understanding of how complex projects are planned, funded, procured and delivered.

She advises across the full project lifecycle, including procurement strategy, delivery models, contract structuring, project delivery, commercial negotiations, governance arrangements, stakeholder engagement, risk management and dispute avoidance. Having worked alongside project sponsors, commercial teams, project managers and delivery teams on major infrastructure and redevelopment projects, Alora provides pragmatic and commercially focused advice grounded in the realities of project delivery.

Prior to joining Simpson Grierson, Alora was General Counsel and Principal Advisor at RCP, where she advised public and private sector clients on major infrastructure, redevelopment and investment projects and led multidisciplinary advisory teams delivering commercial and strategic advice. She also previously worked as Senior Legal Counsel at Wellington City Council, advising on significant infrastructure, property and urban development projects, including governance, statutory decision-making and risk management matters.

Alora has particular experience advising on infrastructure procurement, construction contracts, delivery models, development agreements, property transactions, public sector governance and major capital projects. Her experience spans the water, transport, health, housing, energy and civic infrastructure sectors, including projects involving rail, roads, bridges, airports, wind, solar and geothermal developments.

Work Highlights

Major infrastructure, redevelopment and investment projects

Advising public and private sector clients, commercial teams and project delivery teams on major infrastructure, redevelopment and investment projects across all phases of the project lifecycle, from business case development and procurement through to delivery and completion. This includes advising teams involved in projects such as the Scott Base Redevelopment, Downtown Carpark Redevelopment, Christchurch Men's Prison PPP, Wellington Civic Square Redevelopment, the Moa Point Sludge Minimisation Facility and Waterloo Interchange redevelopment.

Procurement, delivery models and construction projects

Advising on procurement strategy, delivery models, tender processes, commercial structures and risk allocation for major capital projects, including PPP, alliance, NZS, NEC and bespoke contracting models. Advising on construction contracts, development agreements, contractor entitlements, claims management, project delivery obligations and dispute avoidance.

Property, development and public sector projects

Acting as legal and commercial advisor on major vertical and horizontal development projects, public sector transactions and strategic property matters. Experience includes advising on the Government Accommodation Programme (WAP 2), the Shelly Bay redevelopment, Wellington waterfront commercial ground leases, Wellington City Council's social housing portfolio, major portfolio acquisition and development arrangements, and complex governance and stakeholder matters associated with significant public sector projects.

Water sector reform and strategic infrastructure programmes

Advising the Department of Internal Affairs on the Government's Three Waters Reform programme and supporting public sector clients on major infrastructure, governance, investment and funding initiatives. Experience also includes business case, investment and strategic advisory work for significant public sector programmes and infrastructure projects

Governance and strategic advisory

Acting as principal legal and strategic advisor to boards, executive leadership teams and senior stakeholders on governance, strategy, risk management, regulatory obligations and commercial decision-making. This includes developing legal and risk frameworks, advising on investment decisions and supporting organisations to achieve successful project and business outcomes.

Areas of Expertise

Construction
Infrastructure Projects
Public Law
Real Estate