Public law | Administrative law | Constitutional law

Overview

We are public law specialists

Our knowledge of the public sector enables us to achieve the best results for you and deliver value for money. We collaborate with clients to ensure that their processes are robust, and that they support their goals.

We have a strong and trusted position in the public sector

We help clients in the public sector to develop and implement regulatory solutions that work.

We have advised public sector clients on:

Navigating, developing and implementing regulatory frameworks
Meeting statutory and administrative law obligations - including decision-making, consultation, and judicial review
Developing policy proposals that will lead to legislation
Drafting public and private legislation and other administrative instruments
The law-making process.

We understand what clients need in the private sector

We support clients in the private sector to interact with government or respond to regulation.

As a successful commercial law firm, we understand the commercial drivers of businesses. We use our knowledge and experience to help clients represent their commercial interests to decision-makers.

We have a strong history in:

Advising on public, government, economic and infrastructure regulation
Assisting private sector clients to develop and implement their government relations strategy and interact with government
Drafting select committee submissions
Making representations to Ministers and government departments, and public relations strategies
Assisting clients to engage with regulators - such as the Commerce Commission and the Overseas Investment Office.

We work with a wide range of clients

We have worked with various government agencies and Crown entities, including:

Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
Tertiary Education Commission Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health
Ministry of Primary Industries Manatū Ahu Matua
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki
Auckland Council Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Radio New Zealand
Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko
Accident Compensation Corporation.

We have also advised private sector clients from a range of industries, including media and telecommunications companies, and companies in the electricity sector.

These clients include:

Infratil
Toyota New Zealand
Sky Television
Zespri International.

"Buddle Findlay have a proven track record with us of providing high-quality, comprehensive, timely and accurate advice that can be relied upon, they have institutional knowledge of our sector and of the relationships within it, and they have provided expert knowledge and trusted advice over a number of years."

Chambers and Partners

"Buddle Findlay's dedicated and high-quality practice is noted for its representation of various government entities in a range of public law matters, including judicial reviews and administrative law obligations. "

Chambers Asia-Pacific

"The level of expertise provided by Buddle Findlay is exceptional, their understanding of our operating environment is second to none."

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Experience

Sector / Expertise

Work highlights

Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand

We advised Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand (and before that the Transition Unit in DMPC and interim Health New Zealand) on the health reforms and establishment of Te Whatu Ora through the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, including on legislation, governance, and the disestablishment of health sector entities.

Tertiary Education Commission

We are the lead legal adviser to the Tertiary Education Commission providing a range of public law advisory services. We advised on the reform of vocational education that saw the merger of 16 polytechnics into Te Pūkenga, the establishment of six workforce development councils, and the implementation of Fees Free tertiary education.

Ministry of Health

We advised the Ministry of Health on the development, drafting and implementation of legislation, such as the Therapeutic Products Act 2023, the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2023, and the End of Life Choice Act 2019.

Zespri International

We advised Zespri International on regulatory issues relating to Zespri's single desk export role and non-discrimination rule for the purchase of kiwifruit, and the application of the Kiwifruit Export Regulations.

RNZ

We advised RNZ on its submission on the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill.

Electricity sector

We advised the Electricity Authority on urgent amendments to the Electricity Industry Participation Code to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in 2020. We also advise electricity industry participants on their obligations under the Electricity Industry Act 2010 and the Code, and have significant experience engaging with the Electricity Authority when advising clients.

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