Bell Gully advises across the full lifecycle of major transport projects, acting for both public and private sector clients. The team is co-led by Natasha Garvan, Angela Harford, and Ian Becke. Garvan is a specialist in environmental and resource management law, with extensive experience guiding large-scale transport projects through planning and consenting processes. Harford focuses on the financing and contracting aspects of infrastructure delivery, including a specialism in public-private partnership contracts (PPPs), and Becke has particular experience in construction and procurement strategy for major transport and infrastructure developments across New Zealand and Australia.

Buddle Findlay’s transport practice is primarily focused on road and rail, with strength across resource management, Māori law, procurement, and construction. The group is jointly led by Paul Beverley and Jennifer Caldwell. Beverley frequently advises on major transport projects involving designation processes, treaty settlement issues, and negotiations with Māori. Caldwell focuses on environmental, local government, and planning law. Tom Bennett has particular procurement and construction expertise, and Vanessa Evitt advises on infrastructure and environmental matters, including transport-related consenting and plan change processes. Ed McGimpsey is a key name.

Dentons New Zealand‘s transport practice maintains a strong presence in road infrastructure and PPP projects. The team frequently advises on motorway extensions and other large-scale developments. Matthew Ockleston is recognised for his expertise with public sector infrastructure projects and roading issues, contributing across the firm’s property, resource management, and infrastructure practices. Nicky McIndoe has extensive experience in strategic legal and policy issues tied to major infrastructure works, including environmental reform and planning. Paul Buetow advises on the procurement, drafting and negotiation of large infrastructure contracts, especially in the road and rail sectors. Christina Sheard focuses on environment and planning law and regularly assists on infrastructure-related mandates.

Russell McVeagh maintains a broad transport practice, acting for owners, operators, investors, and regulators across rail, road, sea, and air. The team advises on major infrastructure projects, including port and airport developments, ship and aircraft procurement, and national transport network investment. Mei-Fern Johnson and Daniel Minhinnick co-lead, with Johnson bringing expertise in infrastructure investment and transport-sector projects, and Minhinnick focusing on planning and environmental litigation. Other key lawyers include Allison Arthur-Young, who has a strong track record on district and regional planning for large-scale infrastructure; Craig Shrive, who advises on aviation and transport regulation; and Lauren Rapley, who specialises in the environmental aspects of national developments.

Simpson Grierson advises on transport infrastructure projects, with particular strength in large-scale road and rail developments in Auckland. The practice is co-led by Sarah Mitchell, Nick Wilson, Sarah Scott and Michael Weatherall. Mitchell specialises in strategic planning and consenting for major infrastructure projects; Wilson regularly advises on Public Works Act acquisitions, urban regeneration, and climate resilience; Scott focuses on environmental and resource management litigation; and Weatherall has strong expertise in construction law. Bill Loutit advises on resource management and local government matters, while Lisa Curran, who rejoined in May 2025 from MinterEllisonRuddWatts, is a specialist in front-end construction procurement for transport projects.

Anthony Harper‘s transport offering has specialist expertise in shipping and logistics, covering carriage by land, sea, and air. The team advises a broad range of clients, including ports, carriers, forwarders, and shippers, on a variety of matters, from port services and vessel procurement to international shipping conventions and regulatory compliance. Chris Dann leads the practice with extensive experience across all transport and logistics. Jordan Wright adds strong expertise in the international and domestic carriage of goods, supply chain arrangements, and freight forwarding and logistics regulation.

Chapman Tripp offers a comprehensive transport practice with notable strength in shipping and maritime law. The firm’s expertise spans the full lifecycle of infrastructure projects, from scoping and planning through to construction, operation, and maintenance. Paula Brosnahan leads the group and is a transport infrastructure specialist with extensive experience advising public and commercial clients on the environmental and resource management aspects of major developments, including land transport and Overseas Investment Act matters. Matthew Carroll and Greg Wise both have strong experience in infrastructure and construction procurement.

Hesketh Henry maintains a focused transport practice, with a particular strength in maritime and shipping law. The team advises on both disputes and transactional matters across the sector. The practice also acts on matters involving vessel arrests, collisions, and marine casualty claims. Simon Cartwright leads with specialist expertise in both contentious and non-contentious trade and transport law. Cartwright is dual-qualified in New Zealand and England and Wales. Colin Hunter also contributes notable experience in maritime law.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts‘ transport practice is experienced in advising on infrastructure projects and regularly acts for government bodies, constructors, operators, and investors. The team also assists port operators and maritime clients on regulatory compliance and health and safety and advises on haulage agreements and logistics operations. Sarah Sinclair leads the practice with particular expertise in infrastructure, construction, and energy. She advises on complex procurement and legislative frameworks in public sector reform and larger-scale infrastructure. Jordan Oldham is also a key lawyer within the team with experience advising on all project stages from procurement to delivery.

Wilson Harle has a focused maritime law practice, acting for vessel owners, port companies, international carriers, and their insurers. The firm handles a range of contentious matters, including vessel arrests and cargo claims. Chris Browne and Felicity Monteiro co-lead the team, with Monteiro specialising in cargo claims and admiralty proceedings.

Wotton Kearney‘s transport offering centres on maritime and shipping, underpinned by the firm’s established insurance practice. The team is frequently engaged in complex casualty work, representing insurers in incidents across New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Asia, and also advises logistics operators on commercial matters. Caroline Laband and Neil Beadle co-lead the practice, which handles shipping litigation, marine insurance, and claims under the Maritime Transport Act 1994. Theo Ewart contributes specialist experience in shipping litigation and subrogated recoveries, including defending ship repairers and manufacturers and advising on indemnity and liability issues.