Infrastructure work is likely to increase in New Zealand and a change of government at this year’s general election in November is a possible driver.

 

Bell Gully partner Hugh Kettle says if the National Party, led by John Key, gets into government there is likely to be a rise in Kiwi infrastructure development and demand for legal services is likely to increase in that area.

 

Kettle made the remark in light of Key’s speech at The New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development Building Nations Symposium in Auckland, of which Bell Gully was a sponsor. Infrastructure work forms a considerable part of the full-service firm’s work.

 

“Key spoke about plans for introducing PPPs to the New Zealand market, and to removing some of the current constraints on new electricity generation projects. Road and transportat projects are likely to be the first to be undertaken under a PPP model,” said Kettle.

 

The event attracted interest from Australia-based companies eyeing opportunities in the Kiwi market.

 

“We thought it was a very valuable event. There were representatives from a number of public and private sector players from both New Zealand and Australia, and there will certainly be Australian funders, investors, contractors and consultants coming here to do business in the future” said Kettle.