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Sarah Sinclair
Chair and Partner
I am the Chair of the MinterEllisonRuddWatts partnership and a renowned construction and infrastructure specialist regularly acting for both Government and private sector clients in large-scale, complex infrastructure projects. I am a trusted advisor, known for providing commercially pragmatic, and strategic advice on infrastructure funding models, procurement strategies and contracting structures

I am the Chair of the MinterEllisonRuddWatts partnership and a renowned construction and infrastructure specialist regularly acting for both government and private sector clients in large-scale, complex infrastructure projects. As a trusted adviser, I am known for providing commercially pragmatic, and strategic advice on infrastructure funding models, procurement strategies, programme delivery, legislative frameworks and contracting structures.

I lead MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ Infrastructure team and have significant experience combining the commercial components of a project with a deep understanding of procurement processes, particularly in pathfinder projects. I lead the firm’s roles on nationally significant projects including Three Waters Reform Programme, Light Rail project, City Rail Link project and the Anchor Projects in the Christchurch rebuild. I have particular expertise in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), having acted for sponsors, banks or sub-contractors on all PPPs closed or brought to market in New Zealand to date. I also lead our team supporting the Wellington Gateway Partnership on the delivery of Transmission Gully. I am adept at conceptualising strategy and navigating challenges inherent in projects carried out in the public eye.

I play a leadership role on some of the most important construction and infrastructure organisations in New Zealand. After 9 years as a board member of Infrastructure NZ, I became a member of the panel of private and public sector experts supporting Treasury in the establishment of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga. I now sit on the Te Waihanga’s board, which is the New Zealand Government’s independent adviser responsible for the planning and prioritisation of the country’s infrastructure projects.

Career highlights

  • Three Waters reform programme – Advising the Government on its reform of the Three Waters sector. This is a large-scale and complex project that will be transformational for local government and the infrastructure sector in New Zealand.
  • Auckland Light Rail (ALR) – Advising the Crown on all aspects of its $15 billion transformational infrastructure. ALR will be a key component of Auckland’s future transport network, connecting Auckland’s CBD with the Auckland international airport.
  • City Rail Link Project – Lead adviser to the Crown on the largest transport project ever to be undertaken in New Zealand – the $4.4 billion City Rail Link (CRL) project. The project will transform Britomart Transport Centre into a two-way through-station that better connects the Auckland rail network and allows the rail network to at least double its capacity.
  • Transmission Gully project – Advising Wellington Gateway Partnership (the PPP contractor) on all aspects of the 27km, NZD1billion Transmission Gully motorway, a key component of the Wellington Northern Corridor Road of National Significance. Transmission Gully is the first roading project in New Zealand procured through a PPP model.
  • First of its kind hydrogen project – Lead adviser to Ports of Auckland on the legal, commercial, and strategic aspects of the New Zealand’s first hydrogen plant and refuelling station.
  • Renewable energy project through corporate PPAs – Advising a group of major energy users in New Zealand on a ‘Renewable Energy Generation Project’. Providing strategic advice regarding the power purchase structure and the drafting and negotiation of power purchase agreements (PPAs) to be entered into with potential renewable energy generators and developers.
  • Canterbury Earthquake rebuild ‘Anchor Projects’ – Since 2011, advising CERA and subsequently Ōtākaro on all aspects of the planning, procurement, delivery, completion and ownership transfer of the Anchor Projects, comprising more than $1billion of project work.

Awards and recognition 

  • Ranked as a Band 1 Energy and Natural Resources lawyer, Chambers Asia Pacific & Global
  • Ranked as Band 1 in Construction, Chambers Asia Pacific
  • Ranked as a leading Projects and Resource Management and Real Estate and Construction lawyer, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
  • Recognised as Leading, Construction, Projects and Infrastructure, Doyle's Guide
  • Ranked as Highly Regarded – M&A, Energy & Infrastructure and Project Development, IFLR1000
  • Named as an IFLR1000 Women Leader for 2022, the elite cohort of leading female transactional experts
  • Named Best Lawyers’ ‘Lawyer of the Year 2023’ for Energy Law
  • Recognised for Construction Law, Energy Law and Nature Resources Law, Best Lawyers
  • Recognised as a leading Construction practitioner, Expert Guides: Women in Business Law (2021)

Affiliations

  • Inaugural board member for New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga
  • Trustee, NZ Housing Foundation

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