Our 2024 shortlist

Debt Market Deal of the Year

ln this category we are shortlisted for our work advising The Treasury on funding for the Wellington Wastewater Minimisation Facility project at Moa Point, a pathfinder project under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020. We advised The Treasury on all aspects of the project, including the Government financing support package, and have been the principal adviser to the Crown on the IFF model since its initial development in 2018. Lead partners: Josh Cairns and Edward Norman.

Project Finance Deal of the Year

We are shortlisted for two deals in this category:

1. Advising the Crown on the funding of the Wellington Wastewater Minimisation Facility at Moa Point (see above Debt Market Deal of the Year).
2. Advising Westpac on the development and implementation of an innovative financing model for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s social housing project. The model allows home loans to be made available to hapū members in respect of papakāinga housing on land that would not otherwise typically meet bank mortgage criteria. Lead partner: Josh Cairns. 

Equity Market Deal of the Year

We are shortlisted for two deals in this category:

1. Advising Auckland Council (NZ’s largest authority) on the sale of 7 percent stake in Auckland International Airport Limited, the fourth largest listed company by market capitalisation in New Zealand. Lead partners: Michael Pollard and James Hawes.
2. Advising joint lead managers and underwriters of Infratil on its equity raise, the proceeds of which were used to acquire the remaining 50 percent of Vodafone NZ (now One NZ), the largest wireless carrier in New Zealand. Lead partners: James Hawes and Anastasiya Gamble.

M&A Deal of the Year

We are shortlisted for our work advising Gloria Foods on its acquisition of Fonterra's Soprole dairy business. Lead partners: James Hawes and Andrew Matthews.

Mid-Market Deal of the Year

We are shortlisted for three deals in this category:

1. Establishment of Star Hospitality Group where we acted for DB Breweries in the negotiation of a transformative deal for the hospitality industries in Auckland and Wellington. Lead partners: James Hawes and Andrew Matthews.
2. Advising Energy Marlborough Limited (a subsidiary of Marlborough Lines) on the acquisition of 50 percent of the shares in GreenPower New Zealand Limited, which owns Mt Cass Wind Farm and will be the largest wind farm in the South Island once completed. Lead partner: Anastasiya Gamble.
3. Advising Qube Holdings Ltd on its acquisition of a 50 percent stake in container storage and handling service, Pinnacle Corporation Ltd. Lead partners: Anastasiya Gamble and Michael Pollard.

Employer of Choice (>100 Lawyers)

We won the Employer of Choice in the large law firm category in 2022 and 2023 at the NZ Law Awards, and we are shortlisted once again this year.

Large Law Firm of the Year

This year we are shortlisted for this award, which is open to law firms with more than 25 Partners.

Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year

We are shortlisted as an Excellence Awardee as the result of our market leading pro bono practice where we support many community organisations focused on DB&I. In the last 12 months we increased the average annual number of pro bono hours per lawyer to 35, representing an investment of 7,300 hours in total.

We’re also proud of our firm's work in raising awareness of neurodiversity, our support of Pride Pledge, our commitment to developing te ao Māori competencies, and providing support and education around issues like fertility and menopause.

Two of our people are shortlisted as Excellence Awardees in individual categories.

Phillipa (Pip) Muir

Pip is our Chair, a senior employment partner, and is shortlisted in the Law Firm Leader of the Year category for firms with over 100 lawyers.

Matt Austin

Matt, a senior associate in our employment law practice, is shortlisted for Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (aged 35 or under).
Simpson Grierson also nominated DB’s General Counsel, Karyn O'Loughlin, who is shortlisted for the In-House Lawyer of the Year Award.

Andrew Harkness says: “While these nominations are a positive recognition of the great work and people at Simpson Grierson, our focus remains on providing excellent service to our clients to enable them to succeed.”

Congratulations to all who have been shortlisted in the 2024 NZ Law Awards. The Awards evening itself takes place on 28 November. For more information about the 2024 NZ Law Awards, visit https://lawawards.co.nz/