Bell Gully advises public and private clients across the spectrum of projects and energy work, from oil and gas to construction, social infrastructure, and telecoms. Its clientele includes central and local government entities, Māori tribal organisations, and private companies. The firm is also well-versed in the renewables sector, advising on geothermal, wind, hydro, and solar projects. Based in Wellington, David Coull focuses on natural resources advice, while Angela Harford specialises in infrastructure matters. Out of Auckland, Natasha Garvan assists with resource management and environment-related projects, and Ian Becke supports construction clients. David Chisnall is an expert in structuring, procurement, and delivery of development projects.

The ‘well-respected’ team at Buddle Findlay specialises in environmental, resource management, and Māori law. The firm provides further expertise on corporate transactions, financing, foreign investment, competition law, and construction. Its industry experience includes energy, water, transport, and housing development matters. Paul Beverley, a specialist in resource management planning and consenting, and Jennifer Caldwell, a litigator with experience before the Environment Court and High Court, spearhead the team. David Allen advises on transport and energy matters, whilst David Randal strengthens the urban developments and roading showing. Peter Owles and Mathew Gribben are also of note.

With ‘excellent knowledge of the legal market’, Chapman Tripp has grown its construction disputes offering, as well as large-scale renewable energy matters. The firm is also experienced in transport, minerals, water waste, and oil and gas projects. It advises on all aspects of projects, including finance, tax, and litigation issues. Luke Hinchey is experienced in advising on environmental law mandates. Paula Brosnahan and Mark Reese are infrastructure and construction experts, and Hamish Bolland bolsters the construction expertise of the department further. Lauren Curtayne assists clients with energy matters, and Jo Appleyard is noted for her infrastructure knowledge.

Advising across the entire lifecycle of projects for its clients, MinterEllisonRuddWatts is well-versed in regulatory and policy matters, as well as any arising environmental and planning issues. When necessary, the firm is also able to draw on its disputes expertise to assist government entities and blue-chip developers with their contentious issues. Practice head Sarah Sinclair specialises in construction and infrastructure, and fellow practice head Bianca Tree focuses on resource management and the environment. Stephanie De Groot regularly advises on planning, consenting, and designation issues under the Resource Management Act 1991. Travis Tomlinson left the firm in April 2024.

With particular strength in infrastructure projects, Simpson Grierson advises clients on a broad spectrum of project work, including transport, utilities, renewable energy, telecoms, and property matters. The firm also possesses expertise on environmental law and is accustomed to handling resource management issues for private and public clients. Environmental expert Bill Loutit, district planning specialist Padraig McNamara, the energy and infrastructure focused Matt Conway, and planning specialist Sarah Scott jointly manage the team. Michael Weatherall regularly supports clients with construction-related matters, while Mike Wakefield advises on local government and regulatory issues.

With a team that is ‘very experienced in resource management’, Dentons New Zealand is at home advising on the reform of New Zealand’s resource management system. It is also well-placed to advise on all issues arising through a project’s lifecycle, including on finance, corporate, and property issues. The firm’s construction specialisation is of particular note, as is its energy expertise. The team is led by three partners: specialist construction lawyer Paul Buetow, environment and planning expert Nicky McIndoe, and resource management advisor Christina Sheard. Ezekiel Hudspith focuses on energy and natural resources.

Able to ‘cut through the issues and get straight to the point’, DLA Piper New Zealand utilises its global network to enhance its energy and natural resource advice, especially where matters contain cross-border issues. The firm is expert in resource management and local government assistance also, advising councils, central government bodies, private clients, and iwi. The team is led by Stephen Quinn, an expert in resource management, environmental, and building law. Kerry Anderson is well-versed in infrastructure project support, while Diana Hartley specialises in plan preparation and interpretation, as well as resource consenting. Emma Manohar supports clients with contentious and non-contentious issues in environment, planning, and public law.

Russell McVeagh regularly assists clients in the development, infrastructure, electricity, and natural resources sector on their projects and resource management issues. Within infrastructure particularly, the firm is experienced in energy, transport, ports utilities, and telecoms matters. It is also well-versed in procurement, planning, and environment laws and procedures. The team is led by Daniel Minhinnick, Mei-Fern Johnson, and Michael Loan. Minhinnick is an expert in contentious and non-contentious planning and environmental matters, whilst Johnson advises on corporate and commercial matters. The ‘outstanding’ Allison Arthur-Young and Lauren Rapley bolster the team further.

Anderson Lloyd leverages its four offices, based in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, to advise clients across New Zealand on project development, energy, construction, and infrastructure matters. The firm maintains especial experience in renewable energy projects, including wind and solar. Anton Trixl, a specialist in energy and resource management, leads the team alongside Geoff Busch, a banking and finance expert, and Maree Baker-Galloway, who focuses on environmental and planning law. Sarah Eveleigh advises on consenting, compliance, and planning processes.

Chancery Green is a boutique firm in the fields of resource management, environment, and projects. In particular, the firm specialises in infrastructure and energy projects in New Zealand. Based in Auckland, the firm is led by Chris Simmons, who is a veteran advisor in complex consenting projects across a wide range of projects, and Jason Welsh, who represents clients before the Environment Court and the High Court in consent applications and planning provisions. Steve Mutch, an experienced litigator with expertise in coastal and residential development, is a noted member of the team.

Tompkins Wake regularly assists clients, both public and private, with a broad range of project types, including rural infrastructure, public transport, water, and development projects. The firm is also expert in transaction assistance, resource management, and local government law, including consenting application processes. Theresa Le Bas is co-head of practice, advising on matters relating to the Resource Management Act 1991. Fellow practice head Bridget Parham is an expert on environmental law. Wendy Embling supports both local authority and private sector clients.

Home to ‘skilled legal practitioners’, Wynn Williams support clients through their resource management plans, from development to delivery. The firm also regularly advises in resource management, environmental, and natural resources matters. Its lawyers are also experienced litigators, frequently appearing before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Lucy de Latour, the head of practice, is one such practitioner, representing developers and local government clients. Philip Maw advises clients on freshwater planning and policy development. Mike Doesburg specialises in environmental litigation, compulsory litigation processes, and resource consenting.

Focusing on resource management and environment matters, the team at Lane Neave covers the gamut of support, from strategic advice to litigation representation. The firm is well-versed in supporting clients in resource management related to coal and gold mining projects. It also appears before the Environment Court and the High Court for its clients, with additional experience in ADR processes. Led by mining project advisor Joshua Leckie, the team contains Sarah Anderton, who is experienced in designations, resource consenting, plan reviews, and appeals.