The Special Conditions

In this episode, Hamish and Sam unpack the practical and legal issues surrounding instructions under NZS 3910:2023.

They explore how instructions operate in practice, the role of the Contract Administrator and Independent Certifier, and why so many variation disputes begin with how an instruction is classified.

From the Type A–D model and disguised variations to notice requirements, pricing, delay and timebars, this discussion offers practical guidance for Principals, Contractors and contract administrators seeking to manage risk and avoid disputes.

This week, Sam and Hamish take a closer look at the Auckland Harbour Bridge – from the history behind one of New Zealand’s most recognisable landmarks to the authority established to commission and oversee its construction.

They also explore the procurement model used to deliver the project, and what it reveals about the legal, commercial and public infrastructure thinking of the time

This week, we’re joined by Cameron Watson, new partner at Chapman Tripp and a leading project finance specialist. Cameron advises on major infrastructure and energy projects, with a particular focus on renewables, and brings experience from New Zealand, Australia and New York.

Before joining Chapman Tripp, he spent 10 years as a partner at White & Case in Sydney, and has worked on standout New Zealand deals including the Kowhai Park and Glorit solar farms, as well as the Christchurch Men’s Prison PPP.

This week, Sam and Hamish discuss personal liability in construction cases, using the new case of DTB Construction Ltd v Dobbe (2026) to illustrate the key principles.

They explore liability in tort, when a duty of care may arise, and what this decision means for those involved in construction disputes.

This week, we’re joined by John Green, one of New Zealand’s leading dispute resolution experts, who works on major building, construction and infrastructure disputes and brings more than 35 years’ experience to the field.

With appointments in over 1,370 disputes, John is widely respected for his expertise as an arbitrator, adjudicator andmediator. He has also played a significant role in shaping the industry, including as founder of the Building Disputes Tribunal and the New Zealand Dispute Resolution Centre.

In this episode, we discuss John’s career in dispute resolution, what makes a strong claim and response, and what happens after the determination.

How do Olympic venues keep opening on time when so many major projects run late? This episode examines the answer: fixed deadlines, tight scope control, fast decision-making and collaborative delivery models. We also look at Brisbane’s 2032 venue programme and ask what New Zealand can borrow from the Olympic playbook.

AI is evolving rapidly, and the conversation has already moved well beyond generative tools. Terms like “vibe coding” are entering the mainstream, while the prospect of superintelligent systems is no longer confined to science fiction.

In this episode, Hamish is joined by Chapman Tripp’s Chief Digital Officer, Sean Bishop, to explore what is changing, what these developments mean in practice, and how increasingly capable AI may shape the way we work and live.

Hamish and Sam debrief after The Chapman Tripp and Deloitte Election Conference, hosted by BusinessNZ, which brought together senior politicians from across the political spectrum.

They discuss the key themes at the conference and explore results from the accompanying Election Survey capturing priorities for New Zealand's future. Key topics include infrastructure and energy, tax policy, superannuation and the ongoing economic challenges – revealing where New Zealand's political and business communities align, and where they diverge.

In this episode, Hamish and Sam are joined by Jacob Kerkin from Omni Bridgeway to discuss litigation funding and its role in construction and infrastructure disputes. They explore what litigation funding involves, the types of cases that can be funded, and the future of litigation funding as a dispute resolution tool in New Zealand.

In this episode, Hamish and Sam are joined by Quinton Blackburn, Senior Principal in Project Delivery at Beca, to discuss short-term thinking in New Zealand's construction and infrastructure sector.

They explore why short-termism persists despite its costs, the barriers to achieving genuine value for money, and how procurement and project delivery can be structured differently.