MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Corporate and Commercial

Partner

John is an experienced commercial and public sector lawyer. He has particular expertise and interest in the resources, technology, gaming, sports, film and entertainment, and arts and culture sectors.

John undertakes a broad range of legal work with an emphasis on corporate governance, commercial contracting and procurement, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, intellectual property, and screen production financing. He advises New Zealand Government agencies, local government, and private sector entities and is a trusted adviser to clients including Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Waka Kotahi and TAB New Zealand.

A leader in New Zealand’s internationally renowned film and media industry for a number of years, John advises technology and media clients, film financiers, and producers on large scale procurement and supply arrangements. He is a board member of the New Zealand Film Commission and New Zealand On Air and sits on both the New Zealand Screen Production Grant Panel (which considers applications for the NZSPG) and the Co-productions Committee (that considers all applications for official New Zealand co-production treaty status).

John is also an experienced public sector lawyer. He specialises in public law, corporate governance in the public sector, public sector contracting, probity, and the development and implementation of government incentive schemes designed to further New Zealand’s economic development.

English

LLB (Hons), BCA, Victoria University of Wellington (1989)