Ruth Keats

Ruth provides advice on all manner of procurement and commercial contracts, with a particular focus on technology, infrastructure, public sector contracting and procurement.  Her experience includes advising on the full procurement lifecycle, from the design and structuring of the procurement process, to preparing and negotiating the contract, and contractual advice post-entry into the contract.

Ruth worked for several years in the Commercial legal team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, advising on significant technology procurement projects, and prior to joining Bell Gully, she was a senior associate at another large New Zealand law firm. 

Prior to joining Bell Gully in 2024, Ruth’s work highlights include:

Cross-agency digital platform
Advising the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in relation to the procurement and contracting for the establishment of the Business Connect platform, a digital platform used to streamline the process for businesses to apply for licences and permissions to operate from Government agencies.

Technology contracts to support new operating model
Advising the Earthquake Commission on various technology procurements and associated contracts to support the implementation of its new 'world-first' natural disaster response operating model, under which private insures assess, manage and settle the entire claim (including the EQCover portion of a claim) on behalf the Earthquake Commission. This includes contracts to establish a data hub, a broader system of engagement to exchange information with private insurers, and a new financial management system and claims management system.

New satellite technology to improve GPS accuracy
Advising Land Information New Zealand on its SouthPAN project with the Australian Government to procure and roll-out new satellite technology that will bring GPS accuracy to within 10 centimetres, including the government-to-government contract arrangements.

Public Safety Network – Te Kupenga Marutau
Advising New Zealand Police in its role as part of the procurement of the Public Safety Network – Te Kupenga Marutau, a new secure digital communications network for use by emergency services front-line responders.

Department of Corrections
Advising the Department of Corrections in relation to various technology contracts, including a contract to procure a library management system for its prisons.

Outsourcing of core IT Managed Services
Advising the Earthquake Commission, Land Information New Zealand and the Ministry for the Environment in relation to contracts for the outsourcing of core IT Managed Services to support their respective day-to-day functions.

Contract for significant solar project
Advising Infratec on its contract with Lodestone Energy to engineer, procure and construct five solar power stations in the upper North Island.

Contracts for transitional housing
Advising Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities on contracts for the supply of pre-fabricated modular housing to be used for transitional housing.

Contracts for maintenance of critical water infrastructure
Advising Watercare on its contracts relating to the maintenance critical water infrastructure in the Auckland region.

Contract for maintenance of critical wastewater infrastructure
Advising Wellington Water on its outsourcing contract relating to the maintenance of wastewater treatment plants in the Wellington region.