Simpson Grierson

One of the most closely watched aspects of the proposed RMA reform is how the new system will address Māori interests and Treaty settlement obligations. The Environment Select Committee has now reported back on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill and while they acknowledged submitter concerns, it did not recommend major changes to the overall framework, instead opting for minor adjustments and clarifications. Our team unpacks the key developments and the implications for those engaging with New Zealand's future planning system. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enzq-wfW #RMReform #TeTiriti #EnvironmentLaw #LocalGovernment #MāoriDevelopment #PlanningLaw

A boost for how New Zealand funds its infrastructure 🏗️ The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill has passed its Third Reading and is awaiting Royal Assent. The Bill brings a series of targeted changes designed to make the off-balance sheet funding model easier and more practical to use. The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 allows a special purpose vehicle to raise finance for a project on the strength of levies charged to those who benefit from it. It's already helped fund projects like the Western Bay of Plenty Transport Systems Plan, Wellington's Sludge Minimisation Facility, and greenfields housing infrastructure at Te Awa Lakes in Hamilton. For those involved in funding, financing or delivering public infrastructure, these enhancements are well worth understanding. 📖 Read our team's full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eE4qwm7t #Infrastructure #InfrastructureFunding #ProjectFinance #SimpsonGrierson

⚖️"Two Strikes" and "You're Out". New Zealand's courts are readily using a new tool to curb abusive litigation. New Zealand's senior courts have long faced a challenge from meritless or abusive civil proceedings. Coupled with the growing use of AI by self-represented litigants to generate excessively lengthy filings, it is only adding to the pressure. The "two strikes" rule in force since February this year, has built some momentum. We discuss the balance of civil rights and loaded courts: https://lnkd.in/e5zp9b_x

Another significant trans-Tasman private capital deal for our Corporate team. 🤝 Simpson Grierson has advised Five V Capital, alongside Gilbert + Tobin, on the New Zealand aspects of the sale of Orikan to global private markets firm EQT Group. Headquartered in Melbourne and operating across Australia, New Zealand and North America, Orikan supports hundreds of government and private sector customers – from councils and universities through to airports, hospitals and stadiums – across the full parking, enforcement and compliance lifecycle. Corporate Partner Michael Pollard, who led the Simpson Grierson team, said: "This transaction reflects the strength of the business Five V has helped to build, and the confidence international investors continue to have in high-quality Australasian technology platforms with a New Zealand footprint. It has been a privilege to work alongside Gilbert + Tobin in supporting Five V on another significant trans-Tasman private capital transaction." Congratulations to Five V Capital, Orikan founder Declan Ryan, CEO Peter Neale and the wider Orikan management team on this milestone. Thanks also to Peter Cook, Beth Cameron and the broader G+T team for another great trans-Tasman collaboration. Our team included Michael Pollard, Joanna Lim, Louw Wessels, and Charlotte Johnstone. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHh7vzcg #MergersAndAcquisitions #PrivateCapital #Technology #NewZealand #SimpsonGrierson https://lnkd.in/eHh7vzcg

Is a Trust a person? When it comes to health and safety, it might just be! The Supreme Court has just heard arguments on this very issue. Following an incident on a farm that was owned by a Trust, WorkSafe brought charges against the Trust, and in the alternative the trustees, as a “Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking” (PCBU) that had breached it duties and committed an offence under ss 37 and 48 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). WorkSafe’s approach to charging the Trust or its trustees raised the issue of whether the Trust or its trustees collectively can properly be viewed as a “person” as defined in s 16 of the HSWA, for the purpose of applying the PCBU definition. A decision is due later this year and following the outcome we'll update you on what it might mean for you and your Trust. In the meantime, you can read our full coverage here: https://lnkd.in/ei7qMT6D Bronwyn Heenan, John Rooney, Mike Mercer, Nick Bland, Jonathan Nicolle, Hugh Lindo, Barney Cumberland, Nicky Hall, Joanna Lim #healthandsafety #Trustlaw #SimpsonGrierson

Obtaining a judgment against a debtor is one thing. Enforcing it when they've moved overseas is another. A recent UK Supreme Court decision has raised questions about whether foreign judgment creditors can bypass the usual recognition process and proceed directly to bankruptcy action. Our latest update explores why the position in New Zealand is different, and what creditors need to know when seeking to enforce foreign judgments here. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emkd3mCE #Litigation #DisputeResolution #Insolvency #CrossBorderDisputes #NewZealandLaw

📢 We are proud to have advised the Northway Consortium on the Warkworth to Te Hana motorway PPP! 🛣️ Simpson Grierson, together with Allens, has advised the Northway Consortium, comprised of ACCIONA Construction, ACCIONA Concesiones and Aberdeen Investments US ETFs, on the Warkworth to TeHana motorway - New Zealand’s largest roading public-private partnership (PPP), which reached financial close with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) on 30 July 2026. Reaching this milestone is the culmination of an enormous effort by the consortium, its advisers, project teams, financiers, contractors and government stakeholders. Congratulations to all those involved. Major infrastructure projects of this scale require close collaboration, careful planning and a shared commitment to delivering long term outcomes for New Zealand and it has been a privilege to work alongside all those involved to get it to this point. The new motorway will improve connectivity between Auckland and Northland, enhance network resilience and support economic growth across the region. We look forward to seeing the project move into the delivery phase. You can read more about the project and our role here: https://lnkd.in/eetCp_k3 Supported by our amazing team: Lisa Curran, Catherine Shipton, Edward Norman, Greg Allen, James Hawes, Tara Wylie, Sarah Mitchell, Matt Conway, Dominic Toomey, Will Barnes, Dania Alsagoff, Edward Warren, Jade Magrath, Georgia Kellow, Isabel Van Tuinen, Briana Lyons, Cody Dalton, Liam Brennan, Sarah Heslin. #Infrastructure #PPP #TransportInfrastructure #Projects #NewZealandInfrastructure #SimpsonGrierson

We’re pleased to have advised PMG Funds and its flagship retail fund, Pacific Property Fund Limited (PPF) on its merger with PMG Generation Fund. Under the merger, PPF acquired 100% of the units in Generation, with unitholders becoming shareholders in PPF. The result is a single, integrated platform of 29 commercial properties valued at over $700 million across industrial, large-format retail and office assets nationwide - creating what is described as New Zealand's largest diversified unlisted commercial property fund. Our team advised on the full implementation of the merger, including the Product Disclosure Statement, a new management agreement for PPF, the unit acquisition agreement, engaging with the statutory supervisor for Generation and the FMA to transition Generation to new trust arrangements and cancellation of Generation as a registered managed investment scheme, the meeting processes to approve the merger for both funds, and the refinancing of banking facilities. Congratulations to the PMG team and the Board of PPF on reaching this milestone! And thanks to our Simpson Grierson team: Michael Pollard, Stuart Evans, Josiah Koh, Matthew Brew, Keanu B., Latesha Metzler, Charlotte Holland. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehkWfqQc #MergersAndAcquisitions #FundsManagement #CommercialProperty #NewZealand #SimpsonGrierson

A huge congratulations to City Rail Link and everyone involved in bringing this transformational project to completion!   As New Zealand's largest transport infrastructure project, City Rail Link will reshape the way Auckland connects, it is a milestone moment many years in the making.   We are proud to have supported City Rail Link over the course of the project, working alongside a dedicated team committed to delivering one of New Zealand's most significant infrastructure investments. Simpson Grierson’s team led by partner Nicky Hall and consultant Michael Wood have advised on property acquisitions, Public Works Act compensation issues and other aspects of the project throughout its development and delivery.   This success belongs to the many people who have contributed to making the project a reality. Congratulations to the City Rail Link team and all those involved in reaching this remarkable milestone.   #CityRailLink #Infrastructure #Auckland #Transport #InfrastructureProjects #FutureFocused #SimpsonGrierson

This year we hosted our third annual Cultural Issues Moot with Asian law students’ associations from Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland. This moot gives students an opportunity to consider the role culture plays in dispute resolution and identify areas where the law may benefit from development to address the needs of a diverse society. The Moot problem focused on the role of cultural context in ascertaining defamatory meaning, with a special focus on whether and how the tort of defamation may develop in a multicultural society. We were especially impressed with how competitors engaged with complex questions about the workability of incorporating cultural factors in legal tests. Congratulations to our winners, Seiya Ichiishi and Helena Fitzgerald (VUW) and Tri Phan and Daniel Twine (UoA).   Special thanks to Justice Heine and Simon Schofield, for generously giving up their time to judge the finals. Our gratitude also goes to our Simpson Grierson judges Hamish Harwood, Jade Magrath, Samantha Hiew and Tanmeet Singh and wider team Priya Prakash, as well as our partner student associations Asian Law Students' Association at VUW, and the Chinese Law Club UOA (CLC) and Korean Law Students Association at UoA, who volunteered their time and expertise to support this important event. #CulturalIssuesMoot #DisputeResolution #SimpsonGrierson