Simpson Grierson - Michael Sage

Mike is one of New Zealand's most experienced corporate/commercial lawyers, with more than 30 years at partner level, advising a wide range of clients - particularly in the infrastructure and technology sectors.

Mike specialises in capital raising, business structuring, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances/joint ventures and corporate governance.

In the infrastructure sector, Mike is a lead adviser on major projects including energy generation and distribution, transport, telecommunications, water/wastewater, airports, solid waste and urban redevelopment. He is an expert in large-scale, long-term infrastructure funding/development and management.

In the technology sector, Mike advises on commercialisation and licensing of IP, major IT outsourcing contracts, technology procurement, fibre leasing/IRU contracts, regulatory issues and data protection/use. His clients include telcos, life sciences companies, financial institutions and cloud-based solution providers.

Mike has extensive experience in buying and selling businesses and companies, and in the establishment of joint ventures, public/private partnerships and bespoke commercial contracts. He has a particular interest in commercialising and licensing technology and in business structuring/capital raising for early to mid-stage companies.

Michael as co-author of An Introduction to E-Commerce Law in New Zealand.

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023

Technology, Media & Telecommunications

Leading Lawyer (Senior Statespeople)

The International Who's Who Legal 2023

Data Information Technology

Global Leader

Work Highlights

Lodestone Energy

Funding and development of 5 grid‑scale solar farms (approx $300 million).

Kordia/Tait Communications

Joint venture to build/operate Land Mobile Radio portion of New Zealand Government's $1.4 billion Public Safety Network.

Bank

Advising a leading NZ bank on establishment of new lending platforms and customer services.

Transpower

Acquisition of new technology to upgrade inter–island HVDC link (approximately $700 million project); grid service contracts for approx $2 billion of opex/capex over 10 year period.

NZ Carbon Farming

Sale of 25% stake in carbon forestry portfolio.

Transdev

Contracts to operate metro passenger rail services in Auckland/Wellington; acquisitions of Mana Coach Services/Howick & Eastern Buses.

Gisborne District Council

Long‑term airport lease/management agreement.

Infant milk

Advising on development of greenfields infant milk formula manufacturing operation and joint venture with PRC distributor.

Vocus Communications

Takeover offer, by ASX–listed Vocus, to acquire FX Networks for approximately $116 million; advice on fibre optic network access arrangements.

DB Breweries

Corporate advisory work including acquisition of Tuatara Brewing Company; establishment of Barworks joint venture; sale of Liquorland; purchase of Redwood Cellars.

Union MedTech

Acquisition of Rex Bionics (developer of robotic exoskeletons) and UK capital raising/listing on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market.

Kordia

Purchase and subsequent sale of Orcon (internet service provider); purchase of Aura Information Security; trans–Tasman fibre optic cable project.

Electricity

Co–generation/embedded generation/transmission/windfarm projects/ for Northpower/Counties Energy.

Methven

IPO; acquisition of Deva Tap Company (UK) and associated rights issue/institutional placement; acquisition of Heshan Sanitary (Chinese manufacturing business).