Ian Becke

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Ian focuses on construction, infrastructure and property development projects across a wide range of sectors. He also acts on large-scale commercial real estate leasing and sale transactions.

Ian has acted for private and public clients, including all levels of government in both New Zealand and Australia, on a variety of major projects and real estate transactions since 2007. He previously worked in Sydney as part of the infrastructure team at international law firm, Ashurst.

Ian advises on construction contracts, infrastructure projects (including PPPs) and property development projects across a wide range of industry sectors, including rail, transport, defence, ports (including inland ports), education, electricity, mining, manufacturing and social housing. Having acted for various project participants Ian thoroughly understands competing perspectives and context and is adept at finding best-for-project solutions.

Ian’s real estate practice primarily involves advising on significant commercial real estate leasing and sale transactions. He has particular expertise advising on commercial office assets and has been involved in some of the largest and most complicated commercial office transactions in both Australia and New Zealand.

In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, Ian is recognised as a 'Leading Individual' for real estate and construction work. He is also recommended for his work in the 'projects and resource management (including environment)' area, clients describe Ian as "a trusted advisor to many leading project sponsors in New Zealand." In a previous edition clients noted, "he is a leading real estate partner with international experience and strong local real estate knowledge who is very commercial and highly client-focused."

Chambers Asia Pacific 2024 ranks Ian as a leading lawyer for construction. The IFLR1000 2024 also recognises Ian as 'Highly regarded' for project development work.

Ian is recognised by Doyles Guide 2021 as a recommended lawyer for Construction, Projects and Infrastructure in New Zealand.

Work highlights

Projects

AMETI Eastern Busway Alliance
Auckland Transport on the Eastern Busway Alliance (EB2, EB3 and EB4) with the RAPT consortium, comprising Fletchers, Acciona, Jacobs and AECOM, including various works agreements with third party utility operators who own assets affected by the construction of the busway. AMETI represents the largest capital value project undertaken by Auckland Transport.

Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme
Auckland Transport on the Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme, a multi-stage contract procurement involving an ECI Agreement, Enabling Works Agreement and Main Works Contract.

Let’s Get Wellington Moving
Let’s Get Wellington Moving (a partnership between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa) on various aspects of the NZ$7.4 billion transformational city-shaping programme for Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington. This included advising on the preparation and negotiation of the main works contract for the Golden Mile Project, a ~$120m streetscape and utilities improvement project.

Redevelopment of Whangarei Hospital
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand on Project Pihi Kaha, the redevelopment of Whangarei Hospital comprising the design and construction contract of multiple hospital buildings alongside the continued operation of the existing hospital, including a new acute services ward and children’s health centre.

Expansion of Boulcott Hospital and Ormiston Hospital
Vital Healthcare on various construction projects throughout New Zealand, including advising on all aspects of the contractual arrangements for the expansion of Boulcott Private Hospital and Ormiston Hospital.

Tauranga City Council
Tauranga City Council on all aspects of Te Manawataki o Te Papa Project, a comprehensive redevelopment of a site comprising multiple city blocks in the Tauranga CBD. Ian also advised on the Memorial Park Aquatic Centre Project, which involves the design and construction of new indoor aquatic centre, and associated facilities.

Fletcher Building
Fletcher Building on three separate large-scale brownfield projects involving the design and construction of new specialist processing plant factories, including the integration of specialist offshore plant with domestic civil and vertical construction.

Genesis Energy
Genesis Energy on a generator replacement programme, and on the installation of a new intake gate at the Tekapo Power Scheme.

New Zealand Infrastructure Commission – Te Waihanga
Infracom on key construction industry issues, including risk allocation, best practice conditions of contract, valuation of variations, the role of the engineer to the contract and novation of design

Wellington City Council
Wellington City Council on a number of construction contracts relating to the ongoing transformation of Wellington, including the new Convention and Exhibition Centre and the redevelopment and seismic strengthening of the Wellington Town Hall.

Napier Port construction contract arrangements
Napier Port on the construction contract arrangements for Wharf 6 in the context of its $234 million IPO and NZX listing.

Real estate transactions

Acquisition of new build premium office development
Advising the Purchaser on all aspects of the forward purchase (including OIO consent), development and leasing of the premium-grade office building at 50 Albert Street, Auckland.

Acquisition of commercial high-rise building
Advising the Purchaser of the commercial high-rise at 2-14 Wakefield Street, Auckland, the existing AUT Arts Faculty and all aspects of its redevelopment.

Tauhara North Kainga Limited
Advised Tauhara North Kainga Limited on a forward purchase and turnkey development of an apartment building in project, and on the acquisition of land and development of a social housing project in Rotorua.

Contact Ian

Work highlights

Projects

Real estate transactions

Insights by Ian